Two Chinese Nationals Arrested For Illegal Mining and Export of Precious Minerals in Ogun
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested two Chinese nationals for illegal mining activities in Ogun state.
The suspects, Yang Chao and Xiao Jing, and their Nigerian accomplice, Chidi Osuji, were arrested over illegal mining activities at Ogere and Ogunmakin, off the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
They were involved in the illegal mining of marble stones, white powder, lithium, lepidolite, and other minerals in the area.
EFCC says the minerals are being exported illegally out of the country.
The suspects were arrested by operatives from the EFCC zonal office in Ilorin, where the suspects were also involved in illegal mining activities in Oyo and Kwara states.
The spokesman noted that after days of surveillance, the suspects were finally arrested.
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Preliminary investigations showed that Chao and Chidi are working as factory managers and machine operators respectively with Cruis Chemical Nigeria Limited located at Ogunmakin in Ogun State, while Jiang works with John Odiba Multibiz as an assistant manager in Ogere, Ogun State, Oyewale said.
He said the suspects operate as a cartel and allegedly specialize in the illegal mining of minerals such as marble stone, white powder, lithium, and lepidolite, among others.
He also explained that they transport the minerals outside the country illegally.
Investigations also linked the three suspects as owners of the solid minerals being conveyed by the 41 suspects arrested with truckloads of minerals at Share, Banni, Lade, Patigi, and Okolowo in Kwara, and Igbeti and Ogbomosho in Oyo state by operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC on February 5, 2024.
They were arrested for engaging in mining activities without requisite licenses, the spokesman said.
