Nigeria’s NSCDC Seals Illegal Lithium Site In Kebbi Over Alleged ₦1.43Trillion Mineral Theft
Nigeria’s NSCDC Seals Illegal Lithium Site In Kebbi Over Alleged ₦1.43Trillion Mineral Theft
The enforcement operation, carried out under the authority of a Federal High Court order, revealed that the site was linked to Three Crown Mines Ltd, a company now under investigation for large-scale mineral theft and regulatory breaches.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals have shut down an illegal lithium mining site in Libata, Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State, accusing operators of violating mining regulations and defrauding the federal government of over ₦1.43 trillion.
The enforcement operation, carried out under the authority of a Federal High Court order, revealed that the site was linked to Three Crown Mines Ltd, a company now under investigation for large-scale mineral theft and regulatory breaches.
Officials alleged that, in collusion with unnamed foreign nationals, the firm illegally extracted lithium worth ₦1,431,762,340,450 over two years. The company reportedly exceeded the limits of its Small Scale Mining License (SSML) and Exploration License, encroaching on mineral titles lawfully owned by another party.
Authorities said the company’s actions violated Section 46(2) of the 2007 Minerals and Mining Act and Section 48 of the Nigerian Mining Regulations, 2011.
Regulators noted that beyond the massive revenue loss to the government, the company’s operations also undermined Nigeria’s mining legal framework.
The site was sealed after a joint inspection involving security agencies, state mine officers, and company representatives.
Three Crown Mines Directors Snub NSCDC Summons, Citing ‘Inconvenience’
Despite receiving a formal summons, directors of Three Crown Mines failed to appear before investigators in Abuja on July 21, citing “inconvenience” in a letter submitted by their legal counsel, Y.C. Maikyau, SAN.
The NSCDC Mining Marshals rejected the excuse as unacceptable and cautioned against any attempts to obstruct the ongoing investigation.
They emphasised that a new date for the directors’ appearance must be jointly agreed upon to ensure the probe continues without delay.
Commander of the Mining Marshals, Assistant Commandant John Onoja, warned that the Corps would adopt a zero-tolerance approach to mineral theft going forward.
“We will not negotiate the mineral fortune of Nigeria across any roundtable. Mineral theft is not a compoundable offence,” he said.
His remarks come just weeks after the Ministry of Solid Minerals imposed a ₦2 billion fine on Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Company, following a similar investigation spearheaded by the Mining Marshals.
Onoja stated that the recent enforcement actions align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and directives issued by the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake.
Lithium—a critical mineral in global energy transition technologies—has become central to Nigeria’s economic strategy. However, officials warn that its unregulated exploitation poses a serious threat to national revenue and sovereignty.
Commenting on the development, NSCDC Commandant-General Abubakar Ahmed Audi stressed that robust law enforcement must remain a cornerstone of Nigeria’s path to sustainable prosperity.
“The enforcement of laws that protect federal revenue is foundational to Nigeria’s prosperity. The sanitisation of the mining sector is not just necessary—it is non-negotiable,” he said.
