Nigeria’s renewed war against illegal mining recorded a significant breakthrough as security operatives intercepted multiple trucks transporting illegally mined lithium ore in Kwara State, underscoring the Federal Government’s determination to safeguard the nation’s solid mineral resources from criminal exploitation.
In what officials have described as a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation, the South-West Zonal Office of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), Kwara State Command, successfully intercepted seven trucks suspected to be conveying unlawfully extracted lithium ore across state lines.
DDM NEWS gathered that the operation was triggered by credible intelligence received on Thursday, January 8, 2026, indicating that a well-organised convoy of trucks had been mobilised to evacuate lithium ore from an active mining site located in Saki, Oyo State. The intelligence reportedly revealed that no fewer than 12 trucks were involved in the operation, raising concerns over the scale and coordination of the suspected illegal mining activity.
Speaking on the development, the Zonal Mine Officer for the South-West, Engineer Ganiyu Ajibade, disclosed that upon receiving the intelligence, swift steps were taken to prevent the illicit movement of the mineral. According to him, the Ministry immediately activated inter-agency collaboration, engaging the DSS and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Oyo State, while also alerting its field officers in Kwara and Ogun States.
Ajibade explained that surveillance teams were strategically mobilised and deployed across multiple locations to monitor, track, and intercept the movement of the trucks as they made their way out of Oyo State. The operation, he said, relied heavily on real-time intelligence sharing and coordinated field monitoring to avoid alerting the suspects prematurely.
Investigations revealed that the convoy departed Saki at approximately 11:30 p.m. on January 8, 2026, an indication that the operators deliberately chose nighttime movement to evade detection. By early Friday morning, the trucks reportedly arrived in Igbeti, before continuing their journey toward Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, by about 7:00 p.m. later that day.
It was along the Okoolowo–Eyenkorin Expressway in Kwara State that the security net finally closed in. Between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., operatives successfully intercepted seven of the trucks, bringing the illegal operation to an abrupt halt.
DDM NEWS learned that during the interception, one of the drivers fled the scene, abandoning his truck, while the remaining drivers were apprehended and taken into custody for questioning. Security operatives immediately secured the vehicles and the suspected lithium ore, preventing further movement of the mineral.
According to Engineer Ajibade, preliminary interrogation of the arrested drivers revealed that they were hired by a private individual to transport the lithium ore. The drivers reportedly claimed that their operation was conducted under the impression that it was legitimate, citing the presence of a mine marshal personnel from Abuja who accompanied them during the operation.
“All documents issued at the mining site were recovered during the arrest,” Ajibade stated, adding that the recovered paperwork is now part of an ongoing investigation to determine the extent of the illegality, possible forgery, or abuse of regulatory approvals.
The involvement of accompanying personnel and the use of documentation, officials say, point to a more complex network that may involve attempts to bypass regulatory oversight. Authorities are now probing whether the documents were fraudulently obtained or misused to facilitate the illegal transportation of the mineral.
Lithium, a strategic mineral critical to renewable energy technologies, electric vehicle batteries, and modern electronics, has become a major target for illegal mining syndicates across Nigeria. The growing global demand for the mineral has significantly increased its value, making it attractive to criminal networks seeking to exploit regulatory gaps and weak enforcement.
Engineer Ajibade stressed that the interception aligns squarely with the zero-tolerance policy of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, who has consistently vowed to clamp down on illegal mining activities nationwide. He noted that the Minister has directed all zonal and state offices of the Ministry to intensify surveillance, enforcement, and collaboration with security agencies.
“This operation reflects the clear directives of the Honourable Minister,” Ajibade said. “Illegal mining and mineral theft will no longer be tolerated. The Ministry is fully committed to protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources and ensuring that they are exploited only in accordance with the law and in the national interest.”
He further warned that enforcement actions would be escalated across the country, particularly in mineral-rich regions where illegal mining has thrived for years. According to him, future operations will be even more proactive, with enhanced intelligence gathering and rapid-response mechanisms.
Security analysts say the successful interception highlights the growing effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in tackling mineral theft, which has long deprived the country of billions in revenue while causing environmental degradation and community conflicts.
As investigations continue, the seized trucks, recovered lithium ore, and arrested suspects are expected to be handed over for further legal action in line with Nigeria’s mining and security laws.
