The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s Ilorin Zonal Command detained two Chinese nationals, Yang Chao, 39, and Xiao Jiang, 38, for suspected unlawful mining activities.
They were detained alongside Chidi Joseph Osuji, 48, who is accused of being an accomplice in the illicit operation, according to a statement released by the Commission’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, on Sunday.
Based on intelligence, the suspects were pursued to their mining locations in Ogunmakin and Ogere, Ogun State, where they were apprehended following days of observation.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Chao and Chidi work as plant managers and machine operators for Cruis Chemical Nigeria Limited in Ogunmakin, Ogun State, while Jiang works as an assistant manager for John Odiba Multibiz in Ogere, Ogun State.
The suspects, who operate as a cartel, are accused of illegally mining minerals such as marble stone, white powder, lithium, and lepidolite, among others, and transporting them beyond the nation for personal advantage.
Investigations also linked the three suspects to the solid minerals being conveyed by the 41 suspects arrested with truck loads of minerals at Share, Banni, Lade, Patigi, and Okolowo in Kwara, and Igbeti and Ogbomosho in Oyo, by EFCC operatives on February 5, 2024.
They were arrested for engaging in mining activities without the necessary licenses.
In another development, the anti-graft agency arrested three people: Sallah Asmau Wuraola, Owoduni Abdullahi Isa (a.k.a Bolaji), a Point of Sale cashier, and Shuaibu Rukayat, a nurse from Ilorin South Local Government Area in Kwara State, for allegedly selling new naira notes of various denominations to customers for commercial purposes.
The defendants were apprehended after solid evidence revealed that they were illegally distributing fresh naira notes to individuals at event centers, nightclubs, hotels, and parties.
Wuraola and Rukayat were found with N1,220,000, while Isa was apprehended with N150,000.
According to the EFCC spokesman, the accused would be charged in court soon.