The Economic and Financial Crimes (*14*) (EFCC) has arrested 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian over alleged illegal lithium processing actions at 4 amenities in Ogun State.
The anti-graft company disclosed the arrests on Monday, October 26, 2026, as a part of its ongoing efforts to fight illegal mining and unauthorised mineral processing throughout the nation.
According to the fee, the suspects have been apprehended on Friday, October 23, following intelligence gathering and surveillance operations focusing on suspected illegal lithium processing actions in the Ogere space of the state.
EFCC recovers lithium processing tools
The EFCC stated the operation was performed by personnel hooked up to its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, who raided 4 amenities the place the suspects have been allegedly processing lithium with out authorisation.
The fee disclosed that investigators recovered a number of luggage containing lithium-bearing rocks, alongside digital units and a trailer truck throughout the operation.
- “Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 14 Chinese and one Nigerian at four illegal lithium processing plants in the Ogere area of Ogun State,” the fee acknowledged.
Other gadgets recovered throughout the raid included 18 cell phones, 4 laptops, two decoders and a tv distant management.
The arrests adopted intelligence gathering and surveillance operations focusing on suspected illegal lithium processing actions in the world.
The fee added that investigations have been ongoing and that the suspects could be prosecuted as soon as the mandatory inquiries had been accomplished.
Nigeria intensifies illegal mining crackdown
The newest arrests come amid sustained efforts by the Federal Government to deal with unauthorised mining operations, together with figuring out people and financiers liable for illegal mineral extraction.
In July 2026, federal authorities shut down an illegal gold mining location in Osun State and apprehended two suspected miners throughout an enforcement operation at Ileki-Ijesa alongside the Ile-Ife–Ilesa Road.
The authorities subsequently disclosed that the suspects have been aiding investigators in figuring out these financing the illegal mining actions.
- In May 2025, the Federal High Court in Jos ordered the deportation of 4 Chinese nationals, Liang Quin Yong, Wang Huajie, Zhong Jiajing and Long Kechong, following their conviction for illegal dealings in strong minerals.
- The court docket additionally directed the forfeiture of roughly N134.9 million linked to the illegal actions to the Federal Government.
- In July 2025, Nairametrics reported that the EFCC arrested seven Chinese nationals and 4 Nigerians at two mining places in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The suspects arrested in Akwa Ibom have been allegedly extracting ilmenite, generally known as black sand, with out the mandatory licences, as enforcement companies continued efforts to deal with illegal mining actions.
Nigeria expands home lithium processing
Nigeria’s strong minerals sector has attracted rising funding curiosity, with the Federal Government estimating the nation’s mineral assets at about $700 billion.
Lithium has turn into significantly essential due to its use in rechargeable batteries for electrical automobiles, renewable power storage programs and digital units.
- According to a June 2026 report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), international lithium demand is projected to extend by 353% between 2024 and 2040, whereas graphite demand is predicted to rise by 131%.
- In September 2026, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau signed a cooperation framework overlaying geological info sharing, mineral exploration, processing, infrastructure growth and technical experience.
- In July 2026, the Federal Government inaugurated a $250 million lithium processing facility in Nasarawa State, developed by Chinese-owned Diamond New Energy in partnership with the state authorities.
The facility has the capability to course of 6,000 metric tonnes of lithium ore day by day and was designed to broaden home processing somewhat than rely solely on the export of unprocessed minerals.
