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 announced the arrests on Monday, October 26, 2026, saying the operation was part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal mining and unauthorised mineral processing across the country.
According to the EFCC, the suspects were apprehended on Friday, October 23, following intelligence gathering and surveillance operations targeting suspected illegal lithium processing activities in the area.
The operation was carried out by operatives of the commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, who raided four facilities where the suspects were allegedly processing lithium without the required authorisation.
During the raids, investigators recovered several bags of lithium-bearing rocks, a trailer truck and electronic devices, including 18 mobile phones, four laptops, two decoders and a television remote control.
In a statement, the EFCC confirmed that the arrests followed targeted intelligence and surveillance operations in Ogere.
The commission said investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of inquiries.
The arrests come amid renewed efforts by the Federal Government to curb illegal mining and unauthorised mineral processing, with enforcement agencies targeting both operators and financiers behind the activities.
In July 2026, federal authorities shut down an illegal gold mining site in Ileki-Ijesa, Osun State, and arrested two suspected miners during an enforcement operation along the Ile-Ife–Ilesa Road, according to a report by Nairametrics.
The government, according to the online news medium, subsequently disclosed that the suspects were assisting investigators in identifying those financing the illegal operations.
Similarly, in May 2025, the Federal High Court in Jos ordered the deportation of four Chinese nationals following their conviction for illegal dealings in solid minerals. The court also ordered the forfeiture of approximately N134.9 million linked to the unlawful activities to the Federal Government.
In July 2025, Nairametrics reported that the EFCC had arrested seven Chinese nationals and four Nigerians at two mining locations in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The suspects were allegedly extracting ilmenite, also known as black sand, without the necessary licences
Nigeria’s solid minerals sector has continued to attract investment interest as the Federal Government seeks to harness the country’s mineral wealth, estimated at about $700 billion.
Lithium has emerged as a strategic mineral because of its importance in manufacturing rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, renewable energy storage systems and electronic devices.
A June 2026 report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) projected that global lithium demand would rise by 353% between 2024 and 2040, while demand for graphite is expected to increase 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 covering geological information sharing, mineral exploration, processing, infrastructure development and technical expertise.
Earlier, 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 is designed to process 6,000 metric tonnes of lithium ore daily, supporting Nigeria’s push to expand domestic mineral processing and reduce dependence on exports of unprocessed raw materials.
The latest arrests underscore the government’s efforts to enforce mining regulations as Nigeria seeks to attract investment, strengthen local processing capacity and derive greater economic value from its mineral resources.
