Eid-El-Fitr: NSCDC Deploys Over 40,000 Personnel Across Nigeria; Arrests 5 Suspects With Lithium In Abuja

Dr. Ahmed Audi, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has ordered the strategic deployment of over 40,000 Corps personnel across the federation to protect lives and property while also safeguarding the nation’s Critical National Assets and infrastructure.
On Tuesday, the Corps Mining Marshal made an effort by arresting five suspects in Abuja with solid minerals identified as lithium loaded in two trucks.
According to a statement issued on Monday by NSCDC spokesman Babawale Afolabi, the CG gave the deployment directive based on current security challenges and the need to proactively address crime and criminalities before they occur.

He hinted that the Corps would use both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to prevent criminal activity before, during, and after the Eid-el-filter celebrations in various states across the country.

He said: “As the Holy month of Ramadan comes to an end, it is my pleasure on behalf of the NSCDC’s Management and Personnel to congratulate all our Muslim brothers and sisters across the country and wish them a blessed, peaceful, and joyful Eid-el-Fitr.”

“This felicitation comes with the unwavering assurance that the celebration will go off without a hitch, as officers and men of the Corps will be strategically deployed to public places, Eid prayer grounds, shopping malls, markets, motor parks, and various flash points across various formations and states of the federation.”

While praying for national peace, Audi urged Muslims to reflect on the Ramadan lessons of compassion, unity, and mutual respect for human dignity.
He also emphasised the importance of remembering the most vulnerable, the poor, and wished all Muslims “Eid Mubarak.”

On Tuesday, the NSCDC Mining Marshal apprehended five suspects in Abuja with solid minerals identified as lithium loaded in two trucks.

According to a press statement issued by NSCDC spokesman Babawale Afolabi, “Acting on the Commandant General’s marching order, the NSCDC Mining Marshal has taken the bull by the horns, thereby increasing their intelligence apparatus in the protection of all Critical National Assets and Infrastructure across the Federation.

The spokesman, while stating that the Commander CG’s Mining Marshal is poised to identify various mining sites and ascertain the correct loading point of trucks and the status of buying centres being supplied, said: “The need to wage war against the menace of illegal mining activities leading to economic sabotage in the nation has become very imperative as illegal mining in no doubt constitutes one of the greatest threats to the nation’s economy and security.”

He stated, “We have arrested five suspects for conspiring to sabotage the nation’s economy, illegal mining activities, and other miscellaneous offences.”

“At the time of the arrest, they were transporting solid minerals identified as lithium in two trucks impounded along Airport Road and Kuje in Abuja.”

He identified the arrested suspects as Okechukwu Udoka, Chimaucheya Nwakwo, Lukeman Mohammed, Rabiu Umar, and Surajo Isah.

He stated: “During our preliminary investigation, the suspects volunteered their statements and admitted to illegal possession and conveyance of lithium, adding that they have been in the business of transporting lithium to needed companies while bypassing various security checkpoints without verification of any certification or documents.”

He stated that an investigation into the matter has begun and that the suspects will be sentenced to time in a court of competent jurisdiction, noting that this will serve as a deterrent to other criminals.