The South-West Zonal Office of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), has intercepted seven trucks suspected of illegally transporting lithium ore out of the region.
The operation, which spanned multiple states, followed what officials described as “credible intelligence” received on Friday, January 9, 2026.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday, the South-West Zonal Mines Officer, Ganiyu Ajibade, said the intercepted trucks were part of a larger convoy mobilised to evacuate lithium ore from an active mining site in Saki, Oyo State.
Ajibade disclosed that intelligence reports indicated that no fewer than 12 trucks had been assembled to move the mineral resources under suspicious circumstances.
According to him, the ministry immediately activated a coordinated security response, involving the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the DSS in Oyo State, while surveillance teams in Kwara and Ogun states were placed on alert to monitor the movement of the trucks.
“The operation revealed that the convoy departed Saki at about 11:30 p.m. on January 9, arrived in Igbeti early Saturday morning, and later proceeded towards Ilorin, Kwara State, by 7:00 p.m.,” Ajibade said.
He explained that security operatives successfully intercepted seven of the trucks between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. along the Okoolowo–Eyenkorin Expressway in Kwara State.
“One of the drivers abandoned his truck and fled, while the remaining drivers were arrested and taken into custody,” he added.
Ajibade further revealed that preliminary interrogation of the suspects showed they were hired by an individual to transport the lithium ore and that their movement was allegedly escorted by Mine Marshal personnel from Abuja.
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“All accompanying documents issued at the mining site were recovered during the operation,” he said, noting that investigations were ongoing to establish the legality of the documents and the roles of all parties involved.
The zonal mines officer stressed that the operation was in line with the directive of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, who has repeatedly declared a zero-tolerance stance against illegal mining and the theft of Nigeria’s mineral resources.
Ajibade warned that the ministry would intensify enforcement actions nationwide, insisting that the government would no longer allow the country’s solid minerals to be carted away through illegal means.
“This ministry remains committed to protecting Nigeria’s mineral wealth, and anyone found involved in illegal mining or mineral trafficking will face the full weight of the law,” he said.
