Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested three suspected illegal miners for allegedly transporting solid minerals believed to be lithium ore without valid documents.

The suspects, identified as Musa Abdullahi, 45yrs, Aliyu Ibrahim, 20yrs and Ishaq Ibrahim, 51yrs, all from Keffi in Nasarawa State, were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Mines and Steel Unit attached to the Command’s Special Patrol Team.

Speaking during a media briefing at the NSCDC Command Headquarters in Ilorin, the State Commandant, Abbas Nda Mohammed, said the operation formed part of the Corps’ renewed crackdown on illegal mining and economic sabotage in the State.

According to him, the suspects were arrested at about 10pm on Friday, May 22, 2026, along Jebba Expressway in Okolowo area of Ilorin.

Commandant Abbas disclosed that operatives intercepted a truck bearing registration number DKA 990 XJ, Kaduna State, conveying about 36 tonnes of substances suspected to be lithium ore.

He added that preliminary investigations showed that the suspects failed to provide valid mining licences, waybills or any legal documents authorising the possession and transportation of the mineral resources.

The NSCDC boss further revealed that investigations are ongoing to ascertain the actual source and ownership of the minerals, identify other persons connected to the transaction and determine the mining company involved.

“The suspects will be prosecuted in accordance with the law upon conclusion of investigation,” he stated.

Commandant Abbas reaffirmed the commitment of the Corps to safeguarding critical national assets, stressing that the Command would intensify operations against illegal mining and other criminal activities across Kwara State.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the interim attachment of a lounge and a four-bedroom bungalow located in Ado-Ekiti.

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Ilorin, while granting the application for the interim attachment of the properties, held that the Commission had fulfilled all the legal requirements necessary for the court to grant the application.

The interim attached properties are: Town Tavern Lounge, located at No. 1, Ikere Road, off Florence Court School, Ado-Ekiti, and a four-bedroom bungalow located along Florence Court, Irewolede Estate, Ado-Ekiti.

The properties were said to belong to a 43-year-old man, Olorunbukunmi Taiwo, who allegedly defrauded one Lady Anazia Colina Kenechukwu of the sum of N1,980,000,000 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Eighty Million Naira only).

The petitioner alleged that Olorunbukunmi claimed he had secured a road construction contract from the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and approached her to finance the project.

Kenechukwu further stated that she realised she had been scammed when the suspect stopped answering her calls, ignored her text messages, and refused to refund the money.

Moving the application on Monday, May 25, 2026, counsel to the EFCC, Cosmas Ugwu, urged the judge to be persuaded by his arguments and grant the prayers for interim attachment.

Justice Awogboro, in her ruling found merit in the application of the applicant, and consequently granted the interim attachment of the properties.

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Panic has gripped residents of Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State after suspected armed bandits attacked a prayer ground, killing three worshippers and abducting 15 others during a night vigil.

The attack occurred at Ori-Oke Ajaiye on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in the early hours of Saturday, according to the Kwara State Police Command.

The incident was reportedly brought to the attention of the police by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village, who said the assailants stormed the prayer gathering around 8:30 p.m. on Friday while members of the church were holding a vigil at Ori-Oke Ijaye via Ekerin village.

According to the police, the gunmen opened fire sporadically on the worshippers, killing three persons on the spot before whisking away 15 others to an unknown location.

Confirming the development in a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said the Command had launched an intensive rescue operation to secure the release of the abducted victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

She said: “Upon receipt of the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer, Ekiti Division, immediately mobilised operatives to the scene.”

The spokesperson added that the Commissioner of Police in the State, Ojo Adekimi, had ordered a full-scale tactical and intelligence-led operation involving the Police Drone Team, Police Mobile Force personnel, intelligence units and other operational assets.

Describing the incident as “barbaric, callous and unacceptable,” the CP assured families of the victims that the Command would do everything possible to rescue those abducted and bring the attackers to justice.

“The Command is fully committed to ensuring the rescue of all victims and the apprehension of the perpetrators behind the heinous act,” the statement added.

The police further disclosed that security operatives had intensified bush combing, intelligence gathering and coordinated security operations across the area as part of efforts to track down the criminals.

Residents of the State were urged to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid the ongoing operation.