Over 44 Truckloads  of Solid Minerals Currently at the EFCC Exhibit Dump in Ilorin, Says Director

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The acting Zonal Director of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Harry Erin, has  disclosed that over 44 truckloads of assorted solid minerals such as lithium, lepidolite, marble, and gold running into millions of naira were currently at the Command’s exhibit dump.

Erin disclosed this in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, yesterday while receiving the Brigade Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi, Ilorin, Brigadier General Oluwafemi D. Williams, in his office in Ilorin.

He, however, called for synergy between the Nigerian Army and the EFCC in the fight against economic and financial crimes in the country, adding that the Nigeria army remained a veritable ally in the war   against economic and financial crimes.

According to him, “A ton of lithium sells between $42,000 and $70,000 in the international market whereas pittances are usually paid as wages from the several millions of dollars realised from the illicit business to casual labourers hired for the job.

He stated that: “The unfortunate thing is that hundreds of trucks of these crude minerals are being transported outside the country without due registration and payment of royalties to the government as required by law. We just have to find a way to deal with it.”  

He, however, said there was a need for improved inter -agency collaboration among government agencies if corruption must be kicked out of Nigeria, specifically requesting the collaboration of the army in tackling illegal mining activities in the state.

“The drafters of the EFCC Establishment Act in Section 2 of the Act realised the importance of collaboration, which is why we have heads of security and relevant agencies or their representatives on the board of the commission.

“It is in this regard that we are here today to further cement the relationship between the two agencies,” he stated.

While thanking the Nigerian army for its unwavering support for the commission, he further solicited its collaboration particularly in the area of intelligence sharing in tackling the menace of illegal mining, money laundering and terrorism financing in Nigeria. 

While responding, Brigadier General Williams said he was pleased to receive the new zonal director and his team, “I can assure you that we are with you shoulder to shoulder in fighting corruption. Putting heads together to work for this great country is no longer an option.”

Gen. Williams, who assumed the command of the Brigade two weeks ago, assured him that “the philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, is the collaboration with other security agencies in securing the country against crimes.