Illegal Lithium Mine Sealed in APC-Controlled State Over Alleged ₦1.43trn Theft
- The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) took action against an illegal lithium mining operation in Kebbi state
- The NSCDC marshals sealed the mining operation for defrauding the Nigerian government of over ₦1.43 trillion
- The enforcement team took this action after the operation was linked to Three Crown Mines Ltd, a firm under investigation for mineral theft
Don't miss out! Join Legit.ng's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now!
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The Mining Marshals of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have sealed an illegal lithium mining operation in Libata, Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi state.
Source: UGC
NSCDC marshals accused the operators of violating mining laws and defrauding the federal government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, of over N1.43 trillion.
The enforcement team, acting under the mandate of the Federal High Court, said the operation was linked to Three Crown Mines Ltd, a firm now under investigation for large-scale mineral theft and regulatory breaches.
According to officials, the company, in alleged collaboration with unnamed foreign nationals, illegally extracted lithium valued at N1,431,762,340,450 over two years.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 28, regulators say the firm far exceeded the scope of its Small Scale Mining License (SSML) and Exploration License, encroaching on cadastre units lawfully owned by another titleholder.
Source: UGC
Officials said the action contravenes section 46(2) of the 2007 Minerals and Mining Act and section 48 of the Nigerian Mining Regulations, 2011.
The company’s activities, they added, not only deprived the government of critical revenue but also undermined the legal framework protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources.
The site was shut down following a coordinated inspection by security personnel, state mine officers, and company representatives.
Despite a formal summons, the directors of Three Crown Mines failed to appear before investigators in Abuja on July 21, citing “inconvenience” through a letter from their counsel, Y.C. Maikyau, SAN.
The Mining Marshals described the excuse as unacceptable and warned against attempts to stall the investigation.
They insisted that a new appearance date must be mutually agreed upon to continue the probe.
John Onoja, assistant commandant of Corps and commander of the Mining Marshals, issued a warning that mineral theft would be treated with zero tolerance.
“We will not negotiate the mineral fortune of Nigeria across any roundtable. Mineral theft is not a compoundable offence,” he said.
His comments came weeks after the Ministry of Solid Minerals fined Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company N2 billion following a similar investigation led by the Marshals.
Onoja said the recent enforcement actions were in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the directives of Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals.
Lithium, a key component in global energy transition technologies, is now central to Nigeria’s economic strategy, and its unchecked exploitation, officials say, threatens both revenue and national sovereignty.
In reaction, NSCDC Commandant-General, Abubakar Ahmed Audi, said law enforcement must be central to national prosperity.
“The enforcement of laws that protect federal revenue is foundational to Nigeria’s prosperity. The sanitisation of the mining sector is not just necessary—it is non-negotiable,” he said.
Read related articles here:
Fight against illegal mining in Oyo state
Legit.ng previously reported that mining activities went on for two decades in the Iwajowa Local Government Area of Oyo state, whereas the conditions precedent to operating mining activities were not met by the accused mining company.
Rights Lawyer, Mr Femi Aborisade, who has been a vanguard in the fight against the illegality of mining activities in Iwajowa Local Government of Oyo state, beamed a searchlight on the outlawed mining activities in an exclusive interview with Legit.ng.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
