EFCC Deepens Collaboration with Army, DSS to Tackle Illegal Mining in Kwara

Ilorin, Kwara State — March 5, 2026

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has strengthened its collaboration with key security agencies in Kwara State as part of efforts to tackle illegal mining, corruption, and other economic crimes threatening national security.

The new Zonal Director of the EFCC Ilorin Zonal Directorate, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE I) Victoria Ugo-Ali, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, paid strategic courtesy visits to the Commandant of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier General Nicholas Rume, and the Kwara State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Michael Oganwu, in Ilorin.

The visits were aimed at strengthening inter-agency cooperation to combat corruption, illegal mining, banditry, and terrorism financing across Kwara State and neighbouring areas.

During her meeting with the Army Commandant, Ugo-Ali stressed the need for coordinated efforts to address illegal mining, describing the activity as a serious threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and national security. She noted that illicit mining operations are often carried out by organized criminal networks that evade regulatory oversight while depriving the nation of critical revenue.

According to her, effective countermeasures require enhanced intelligence sharing, joint field operations, and improved security around mining sites to prevent illegal extraction and economic sabotage.

The Zonal Director also highlighted the link between illegal mining and terrorism financing, explaining that proceeds from unlawful mineral exploitation are sometimes used to fund violent and extremist activities. She emphasized that disrupting these financial channels is central to the EFCC’s mandate and requires strong collaboration with the military to dismantle entrenched criminal networks.

In his response, Brigadier General Rume commended the EFCC for its proactive engagement and reaffirmed the Brigade’s readiness to support anti-corruption and economic crime initiatives within its operational jurisdiction. He pledged continued cooperation through joint task operations, timely intelligence sharing, and coordinated capacity-building programmes aimed at improving operational efficiency.

At the DSS State Office, Ugo-Ali reiterated the importance of intelligence-driven collaboration in addressing corruption, economic crimes, and the rising threat of banditry in parts of Kwara State and neighbouring regions. She observed that corruption and illicit financial activities often serve as enablers of insecurity, providing funding streams for bandit groups and extremist elements.

According to her, cutting off these financial lifelines through joint investigations and strategic enforcement would significantly weaken criminal networks and enhance security.

Responding, Oganwu assured the EFCC of the DSS’s unwavering support, noting that the fight against corruption, banditry, and terrorism financing requires a united front among security agencies.

He pledged actionable intelligence and sustained strategic collaboration to strengthen enforcement efforts and promote lasting peace and security in the state.