By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Mining Marshalls of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC have announced the sealing of the operations of an outfit in Libata Community, Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State for allegedly engaging in unlawful mining activities.
The closure which was carried out by the enforcement team of the Mining Marshalls, was preceded by an order of a Federal High Court for the sealing of the premises of Three Crown Mines LTD for defrauding the Federal Government of a whopping sum of N 1.43 trillion.
The sum represents revenue accruing to the company from a two-year illegal operations.
The sealing of the company’s premises according to the Mining Marshalls, followed the failure of the Directors to honour an invitation to appear before an investigation committee in Abuja on July 21, 2025.
The mining company which is currently under investigation by relevant authorities has been accused of engaging in large scale mineral theft and regulatory breaches.
According to the NSCDC Mining Marshalls, the accused company in concert with some unnamed foreign collaborators, is, so far alleged to have extracted lithium with a street value of N1,431,762 ,340 ,450 ,over a period of two years.
Industry regulators are accusing the mining outfit of engaging in operations far in excess of its status as a small scale mining and exploration entity, thereby encroaching on cadastre units lawfully owned by another titleholder.
According to the Mining Marshalls, the actions of the company contravene Sections 46 (2) of the 2007 Minerals and Mining Act ,and 48 of the Nigerian Mining Regulations, 2011.
“The activities of the company 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 former 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”, officials stated .
The NSCDC Mining Marshalls, however, described the position of the company as totally unacceptable and an attempt to undermine Government’s efforts at investigating its activities.
According to John Onoga, an Assistant Commandant of the NSCDC, and one of the leaders of the mining Marshalls, the team will not tolerate any attempts by mining outfits to shortchange the country.
“We will not negotiate the mineral fortune of Nigeria across any roundtable. Mineral theft is not a compoundable offence”, Onoja warned.
The NSCDC Asst Commandant further stated that the enforcement measures are in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu as well as the directives from the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake.
Lithium, a key component in global energy transition technologies, is now central to Nigeria’s economic strategy and its unchecked exploitation, according to officials, threaten both revenue and national sovereignty. Nigerian cuisine recipes.
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