EFCC Detains Six Nigerians and Two Chinese Nationals for Illegal Mining Activities

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully carried out an operation that led to the arrest of two Chinese nationals and six Nigerians in connection with alleged illegal mining activities in the Ogere area of Ogun State. The operation, which took place on May 9, 2025, was conducted by operatives from the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.

The suspects, whose names have been provided as Zhang Hang Lin and Gao Pei Hai (Chinese nationals), and Matthew Mathias, Oluwaseun Amoo, Wasiu Ademola Alao, Ajibola Nurudeen, Ibrahim Yinusa, and Saidu Shuaibu (Nigerians), are believed to have been engaged in the illicit extraction and processing of minerals, particularly lithium.

Upon their apprehension, the EFCC confiscated several items that served as evidence of their involvement in these illegal activities. The seizures included three trucks filled with sacks of a substance believed to be ground lithium powder. Additionally, the operatives recovered some solid minerals that are yet to be identified, a Toyota 4Runner SUV, mobile phones, ATM cards, and four LED flashlights, among other items.

The arrest and subsequent seizure underscore the EFCC's commitment to combating economic and financial crimes, including those related to natural resource exploitation. The commission's efforts are crucial in preserving the nation's resources and preventing the environmental degradation often associated with unregulated mining activities.

Further investigation will be conducted to ascertain the extent of the suspects' involvement in the mining operations, their connections to local and international markets for the illegally mined minerals, and the potential environmental impact of their actions. The suspects will be charged to court once the investigation is completed.

The EFCC continues to urge members of the public to report any suspicious activities related to illegal mining and other forms of economic and financial crimes to relevant authorities to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book and the nation's resources are protected for the benefit of all citizens.