In a groundbreaking crackdown on illegal mining, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered a massive lithium theft operation worth ₦1.43 trillion and sealed an illegal mining site operated by Three Crown Mines Ltd in Libata, Kebbi State.
The operation, carried out by the NSCDC’s Mining Marshals, follows an intensive investigation which revealed that the company, in collusion with foreign partners, had been illicitly extracting lithium over a two-year period.
According to authorities, the firm flagrantly violated its mining licenses, encroached on restricted zones, and ignored cadastre boundaries, actions which contravene Section 46(2) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, and Section 48 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2011.
Speaking on the development, NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Abubakar Ahmed Audi, mni, praised the swift action taken by the Mining Marshals, describing the operation as “a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against the criminal exploitation of its strategic mineral resources.”
“This enforcement reflects our renewed commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s mineral wealth in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Prof. Audi stated. “The era of impunity is over. Anyone caught plundering the nation’s resources will face the full weight of the law.”
The Mining Marshals, a special unit established under Prof. Audi’s directive to protect Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, have been actively pursuing illegal mining operations across the country. The sealing of the Kebbi site marks one of the most significant breakthroughs yet.
Lithium, a key component in batteries for electric vehicles and electronic devices, has become a high-value commodity in the global market. Nigeria, rich in lithium deposits, has faced increasing threats from unregulated and illegal mining activities, often backed by international interests.
The NSCDC reaffirmed its resolve to protect critical national assets and ensure that Nigeria’s mineral resources are exploited in accordance with the law and in service to national development.
“This is more than enforcement; it is about reclaiming our sovereignty over our natural resources,” an NSCDC spokesperson added. “We will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that our minerals benefit the Nigerian people, not criminal profiteers.”
Investigations into the activities of Three Crown Mines Ltd and its foreign collaborators are ongoing, with legal proceedings expected to follow. The agency has also promised to tighten surveillance across other mineral-rich regions of the country to prevent further illegal operations.
