The Federal Government has intercepted seven trucks suspected of illegally transporting lithium ore in Kwara State.
The operation was carried out by the South-West Zonal Office of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in collaboration with the Department of State Services in Kwara State.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan on Tuesday, the Zonal Mines Officer, Ganiyu Ajibade, said the interception followed credible intelligence received on Friday, January 9, 2026.
He disclosed that a convoy of 12 trucks had been mobilised to evacuate lithium ore from an active mining site in Saki, Oyo State.
Ajibade said security agencies were alerted immediately after the intelligence was received.
“I engaged the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the DSS in Oyo State and also directed officers in Kwara and Ogun states to activate their surveillance teams to track the movement of the trucks,” he said.
According to him, the convoy left Saki around 11:30 p.m. on January 9, arrived in Igbeti early Saturday, and proceeded towards Ilorin, Kwara State, by 7:00 p.m.
“Seven trucks were apprehended between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. along the Okoolowo–Eyenkorin Expressway in Kwara State. One driver escaped and abandoned his vehicle, while the others were arrested,” Ajibade said.
He added that the drivers confessed they were hired by an individual to transport the lithium ore and claimed they were escorted by Mine Marshal personnel from Abuja.
“All documents issued at the mining site were recovered during the operation,” he stated.
Ajibade said the action was in line with the directive of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, who has declared zero tolerance for illegal mining.
He warned that the ministry would intensify enforcement actions nationwide to protect Nigeria’s mineral resources and curb mineral theft.
