IBN News | October 26, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 15 suspects, comprising 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian, over alleged illegal lithium processing operations at four facilities in the Ogere area of Ogun State.
The arrests were made on Friday, October 23, by operatives of the commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 following what the EFCC described as credible intelligence and surveillance.
In a statement issued on Monday, the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrests and disclosed that the operation led to the discovery of four suspected illegal lithium processing plants.
Items recovered during the operation included bags containing lithium rocks, 18 mobile devices, four laptop computers, two decoders, a television remote control and a trailer truck.
The commission did not disclose the identities of the suspects or the ownership of the facilities. It also did not provide specific details of the alleged licensing violations or explain the precise circumstances under which the plants were operating.
The EFCC said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED ILLEGAL MINERAL PROCESSING
The arrests come amid growing government attention to unauthorised activities in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, which has been identified as an important area for economic diversification beyond crude oil.
Lithium is a strategic mineral used in rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops, electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems. Rising global demand has increased interest in lithium deposits and processing opportunities across several countries, including Nigeria.
However, mineral exploration, extraction and processing are subject to applicable laws and regulatory requirements. Alleged unauthorised operations can raise concerns about licensing compliance, government revenue, environmental protection, workplace safety and the proper management of mineral resources.
The investigation into the four facilities in Ogere is expected to establish how the operations were organised, who owned or financed them, the source of the lithium-bearing rocks and whether the relevant permits and regulatory approvals were obtained.
The EFCC has not publicly identified the suspects or announced any court proceedings in connection with the latest arrests.
QUESTIONS OVER OVERSIGHT OF NIGERIA’S MINERAL RESOURCES
The operation has renewed attention on the need for effective oversight of Nigeria’s mineral resources as the country seeks to attract investment while ensuring that mining and processing activities comply with the law.
Enforcement agencies and relevant regulatory authorities face the task of distinguishing legitimate investment from unlawful operations and ensuring that mineral development benefits the Nigerian economy and host communities.
Where violations are established, appropriate legal action may help protect public revenue, improve compliance and discourage unauthorised exploitation of the country’s natural resources.
At the same time, the suspects remain entitled to due process, and the allegations must be tested through the appropriate legal process.
The EFCC’s next steps will be closely watched as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding the four facilities and prepare any charges supported by the evidence.
