EFCC Arrests 15, Including 14 Chinese Nationals, Over Illegal Lithium Processing In Ogun

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian over alleged illegal lithium processing at four facilities in Ogere, Ogun State.

The commission disclosed this on Monday, October 26, saying the arrests followed intelligence gathering and surveillance operations targeting suspected unauthorised mineral processing activities in the area.

According to the EFCC, operatives attached to its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 carried out the raids on Friday, October 23, at four facilities allegedly involved in illegal lithium processing.

During the operation, the investigators recovered several bags of lithium-bearing rocks, 18 mobile phones, four laptops, two decoders, a television remote control and a trailer truck.

The commission said investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the necessary inquiries.

The arrests come amid intensified efforts by the Federal Government to curb illegal mining, unauthorised mineral processing and the activities of individuals operating in the solid minerals sector without the required licences.

In July 2026, federal authorities shut down an illegal gold mining site at Ileki-Ijesa, along the Ile-Ife–Ilesa Road in Osun State, arresting two suspected miners. The government said the suspects were assisting investigators in identifying those allegedly financing the operation.

Similarly, in May 2025, the Federal High Court in Jos ordered the deportation of four Chinese nationals convicted of illegal dealings in solid minerals. The court also ordered the forfeiture of about ₦134.9 million linked to their activities to the Federal Government.

In another operation reported in July 2025, the EFCC arrested seven Chinese nationals and four Nigerians at two mining sites in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State over alleged unlicensed extraction of ilmenite, a mineral commonly associated with black sand.

Nigeria has increasingly focused on developing its solid minerals industry as part of efforts to diversify the economy beyond crude oil and attract investment into mineral exploration and processing.

Lithium, a key component in rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, electronic devices and renewable energy storage systems, has attracted growing attention because of rising global demand.

A June 2026 report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development projected that global lithium demand could increase by 353 per cent between 2024 and 2040, highlighting the mineral’s growing strategic importance.

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 government. The facility was designed to process 6,000 metric tonnes of lithium ore daily.

The government has also pursued international partnerships aimed at strengthening geological data sharing, mineral exploration, processing capacity and technical expertise.

The latest arrests highlight the authorities’ efforts to enforce mining regulations as Nigeria seeks to attract investment into its mineral resources sector while ensuring that exploration and processing activities comply with the law.

The suspects remain subject to the ongoing investigation, and the allegations against them have yet to be established in court.