Ogere, Ogun State – In a decisive move against illegal mining operations, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended two Chinese nationals and six Nigerians on Friday, May 9, 2025. The suspects, identified as Zhang Hang Lin, Gao Pei Hai, Matthew Mathias, Oluwaseun Amoo, Wasiu Alao, Ajibola Nurudeen, Ibrahim Yinusa, and Saidu Shuaibu, were arrested in the Ogere area of Ogun State following credible intelligence and a period of surveillance.
The EFCC’s sting operation resulted in the seizure of three trucks loaded with sacks of ground lithium powder and other unidentified solid minerals. Authorities also recovered a Toyota 4Runner SUV, mobile phones, samples of low-grade lithium, ATM cards, the suspects’ international passports, four LED flashlights, and various documents.
This recent action underscores a concerning trend of Chinese nationals’ involvement in illegal mining activities within Nigeria. Notably, in September 2024, the EFCC arrested five Chinese nationals in Akwa Ibom State for similar offenses. Furthermore, in March, two Chinese nationals, Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan, were convicted and sentenced for illegal mining, with the trial judge ordering them to remit N14 million in royalties to the federal government. Despite these legal actions, illegal mining persists, posing a significant threat to Nigeria’s economy and causing fatalities and injuries, as highlighted in a PREMIUM TIMES investigation in Benue State.
Statement from the Nigerian Mineral Exchange
The Nigerian Mineral Exchange, Nigeria’s Mining Marketplace, strongly advises all its members to ensure they possess the necessary mining licenses and mineral trade permits. This is crucial to avoid the current crackdown on illegal operations within the industry. The Exchange is committed to fostering growth and innovation in the Nigerian Mining Sector and promoting legal and sustainable practices in Nigeria’s mineral sector.
SOURCE: PREMIUM TIMES
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