The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that over 80 illegal miners were arrested in the last 10 months in Kwara State.

The EFCC Zonal Commander in Kwara, Michael Nzekwe, said this on Tuesday while hosting the state’s Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Abdulqawiy Olododo, in his office in Ilọrin.

According to Nzekwe, the EFCC was able to discover the illegal mining sites across the state through intelligence.

He explained that since then, no fewer than 80 suspected illegal miners with truckloads of assorted minerals within the last 10 months have been arrested.

“Kwara was enormously endowed with mineral deposits,” he noted. “The resources available in the 16 LGAs are enough to turn it into a mini London if properly harnessed.”

In his reaction, Olododo said the Kwara State government was determined to declare a state of emergency on illegal mining and use the resources for development.

The Commissioner added that the governor is determined to complement the EFCC’s efforts and focus on how to properly organise and harness the potential in the mining sector to attract local and foreign investors.