EFCC arrests 14 Chinese nationals, one Nigerian over four illegal lithium processing plants
The arrests come amid growing interest in lithium used in rechargeable batteries and electric devices. The post EFCC arrests 14 Chinese nationals, one Nigerian over four illegal lithium processing plants appeared first…
Nigeria holds significant lithium deposits, particularly in states like Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara and Ogun, and the mineral has drawn a wave of interest from foreign investors—especially Chinese firms—due to its critical role in manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles and consumer electronics. The federal government has in recent years pushed to curb raw mineral exports and enforce local processing and licensing rules, part of a broader effort to capture more value from the solid minerals sector and clamp down on illegal mining and smuggling operations that have cost Nigeria significant revenue.
The EFCC's involvement signals that the raided facilities are suspected of operating without proper authorisation, potentially tying the case to economic crimes such as illicit mineral extraction, tax evasion or unlicensed exports rather than a routine mining-ministry infraction. All three reports agree on the scale of the arrests—14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian—and the location in Ogun State, with Punch narrowing it further to the Ogere area. None of the coverage yet details the charges to be filed, the volume or value of lithium involved, or the identities of those arrested, leaving questions about how the operation was funded and who owned the plants.