Court Orders Seizure of Trucks for Illegal Mining

On February 1, 2026, a Federal High Court in Ilorin, presided over by Justice Abimbola Awogboro, granted an order for the seizure of nine trucks linked to illegally mined solid minerals. This decision followed an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which had intercepted the trucks during a sting operation.

Investigations revealed that the trucks were transporting minerals sourced from unlicensed miners. The EFCC's counsel, Cosma Ugwu, presented a ten-paragraph affidavit confirming the illegal activities.

The court's order prevents the disposal, sale, lease, or mortgage of the trucks and their contents pending the conclusion of the investigation. This action is part of the EFCC's broader efforts to combat illegal mining operations in Nigeria, which pose significant challenges to the country's mineral resource management.

The EFCC had previously arrested several individuals involved in similar offenses in Akwa Ibom State.