To Avert Zamfara Scenario, Sule Seeks Military’s Help over Lithium Discovery

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Following the discovery of Lithium mineral deposits in Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule, yesterday, sought the assistance of the military high command to avert the reign of terrorists in the state.

But the military high command called for regulatory control on mining activities in the state to forestall security breaches.

Large deposits of lithium, an essential component for building batteries for electric cars, laptops and mobile devices were recently discovered in Nasarawa State.

The price of lithium has risen from $6,000 per tonne in 2020 to $78,000 per tonne in 2022, and it was expected to be the most valuable mineral on earth by 2040. Additionally, Nigeria’s lithium is high-grade.

Zamfara is swarming with terrorists and armed bandits following gold deposits in the state.

Speaking during a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Maj Gen Christopher Musa, Sule said, “with the discovery of lithium deposits in Nasarawa State, there is the need to avoid the Zamfara experience by being proactive on security challenges the discovery will pose.”

In his remarks, the defence chief called for the emplacement of “all necessary regulatory control on mining activities in state to forestall security breaches. There is need to be proactive to maintain continuous peace in Nasarawa State.”

Earlier, the Nasarawa governor had said he was at the defence headquarters to congratulate the defence chief on his appointment.

Responding, the CDS thanked the governor for his support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and developmental initiatives for the state, and assured him of the continuous support of the Armed Forces to his state, which he said was strategically close to the Federal Capital Territory.

Meanwhile, troops of 192 Battalion Nigerian Army operating in 81 Division of the Army overseeing Lagos and Ogun State,  yesterday, intercepted a suspected international drug syndicate smuggling a truck load of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) en route Sango Otta in Ogun State.

A statement by Army Headquarters said following actionable intelligence, troops conducted stop and search operations along Ajilete Road in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, during which they intercepted and impounded the suspected truck without registration number, loaded with 397 wraps of  substance suspected to be marijuana.

In the preliminary investigations that followed, it was revealed that the illicit substance  concealed in the truck were transported from Ghana through Benin Republic via Igholo-Idiroko enroute Sango Otta.

“The suspects conveying the illegal drugs have been identified as Mr Matthew Edegbe, a Benin Republic national and Mr Joshua Dansu of Idiroko, who are currently assisting in ongoing investigations,” it said.

In other news, the Rivers State government has pledged continuous support to the Nigerian Army.

The pledge was made when the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander Joint Task Force (South South) Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), Maj Gen Jamal Abdussalam, led some commanders on a courtesy visit to Governor Siminalayi Fubara of  the state.

The governor commended the army for their role in the security architecture of the state and hinted at an expansion geared towards covering the nooks and crannies of the entire state.

He however, charged the army to remain professional and apolitical, noting that peace and tranquility were the basis for development.