16 nabbed for allegedly conveying solid minerals without documents
The Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 16 suspects for allegedly conveying solid minerals and other items without legal documents authorizing their movement. The state’s NSCDC Commandant, Akintayo Saidi Ayinla, disclosed this in Benin, saying the suspects include drivers, motor boys, and escorts. He said on November […]
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
The Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 16 suspects for allegedly conveying solid minerals and other items without legal documents authorizing their movement.
The state’s NSCDC Commandant, Akintayo Saidi Ayinla, disclosed this in Benin, saying the suspects include drivers, motor boys, and escorts.
He said on November 16, 2025, the Corps’ patrol team, acting on intelligence, intercepted six trucks along the Benin-Sapele Road, all heavily loaded with suspected illegally mined Kaolin clay.
He said upon thorough inspection, the drivers and their assistants could not produce any valid documents authorizing the transportation of the products, and nine suspects were arrested on the spot.
According to him, an additional seven persons were arrested on the same day when the Corps’ monitoring and surveillance team intercepted two other trucks along the Ogbemudia Farm Benin-Auchi Road, conveying lithium without proper documentation.
Ayinla noted that illegal mining is one of the most devastating economic crimes confronting the nation, leading to massive revenue loss, environmental degradation, destruction of farmlands, increased insecurity, and sabotage of government’s economic development efforts.
He said the suspects and their vehicles are in the custody of the Corps for proper documentation and further investigation.
He assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation..
Ayinla said the command would not allow criminal elements to plunder our God-given resources with impunity, warning that anyone involved in illegal mining, unauthorized transportation of minerals, or aiding such activities will be arrested, investigated, and prosecuted.