EFCC Arrests Chinese, Nigerians For Illegal Mining
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, said that its operatives have arrested two Chinese nationals and six Nigerians over alleged involvement in illegal mining activities in the Ogere area of Ogun State.
The anti-graft agency in a statement said that the suspects identified as Zhang Hang Lin, Gao Pei Hai, Matthew Mathias, Oluwaseun Amoo, Wasiu Ademola Alao, Ajibola Nurudeen, Ibrahim Yinusa, and Saidu Shuaibu, were arrested on Friday, May 9, 2025, during a sting operation.
The commission stated that the operation was carried out following credible intelligence and detailed surveillance about the activities of the suspects.
The statement noted that at the time of arrest, EFCC operatives recovered three trucks loaded with sacks of substances suspected to be ground lithium powder and other yet-to-be-identified solid minerals.
Also recovered from the suspects include a Toyota 4-Runner SUV, mobile phones, samples of low-grade lithium, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, the suspects’ international passports, four LED flashlights, and various documents.
The EFCC stated that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.