The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have pledged to join forces in resolving illegal mining activities in Ekiti, Oyo and Osun States.

This is contained in a statement made available by EFCC Spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, on Friday in Abuja.

According to the statement, two agencies made the commitment in Ibadan, when the Acting Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Ibadan, ACE I Halima Rufa’u, paid a courtesy visit to the Oyo/Osun States Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba.

It said that Rufa’u decried the threat activities of illegal solid mineral operators in the zone posed to national economic growth.

 “I am glad to be here today on this familiarization visit but more importantly; this visit offers an opportunity to deliberate on how best to tackle the menace of illegal mining in Oyo, Osun and Ekiti States.

 “It saddens me to see that our natural resources that should have been used to develop our country, build good health facilities, alleviate poverty, improve our educational system, etc. are being mismanaged by unscrupulous individuals for their personal gains.

 “But the EFCC is undeterred by the antics of corrupt individuals who are benefiting from the illegal mining operations and will ensure that extant laws against illegal miners are enforced,” she stressed.

Moreover, the statement added that she called for a more robust partnership and synergy between the EFCC and the NCS.

In his remark, Jaiyeoba ackn the commander for the visit and applauded her for the critical roles the EFCC is playing to combat illegal mining activities and cybercrime in the state.