Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian at four illegal lithium processing plants in the Ogere area of Ogun State.
The suspects were arrested on Friday, 23 October, following credible intelligence and surveillance, the anti-graft agency said in a statement posted on its X handle on Monday.
Lithium, a critical mineral used in the production of batteries for electric vehicles, phones and other electronics, has become highly sought after globally, making it a major target for illegal miners and foreign operators.
The commission did not immediately disclose the names of the suspects or the owners of the plants.
Upon their arrest, EFCC said bags of lithium rocks, 18 mobile devices, four laptops, two decoders, a television remote control, and a trailer truck were recovered from the suspects.
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The EFCC said the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Mining without a licence is illegal in Nigeria, as stipulated by the Minerals and Mining Act of 1999.
The Nigerian government, in line with the provisions of the Act, grants permits for exploration and mining through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
The Act stipulates the ownership of mineral resources, conditions for mining and/or exploration and other provisions, but enforcement of the law is poor.
Despite this, illegal mining persists, with both Nigerian and foreign nationals having been convicted of this offence.
