EFCC Arrests 14 Chinese Nationals, Nigerian Over Illegal Lithium Processing Plants

By Sabiu Abdullahi

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

The commission disclosed this in a statement published on its official X account on Monday, October 26, 2026, saying the suspects were apprehended on Friday, October 23, following intelligence gathering and surveillance.

According to the EFCC, its operatives from the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 raided the four facilities and recovered several items believed to be connected to the operations.

The recovered items included bags of lithium rocks, 18 mobile phones and other mobile devices, four laptop computers, two decoders, a television remote control and a trailer truck.

The commission said investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged in court after the conclusion of the process.

The arrests come amid growing concerns over illegal mineral extraction and processing in Nigeria, particularly involving valuable minerals such as lithium, which is used in batteries and other energy-storage technologies.

Nigeria has sought to attract investment into its solid minerals sector while tackling illegal mining and activities that deprive the government of revenue and undermine regulatory oversight.

In a related development, the EFCC recently arraigned two defendants, Marian Elia, 19, and Izuchukwu Uzoma, 21, over the alleged theft of ₦35.92 million belonging to a woman, Esther Ogbeifun, in Benin City, Edo State.

The commission alleged that the defendants faced a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, cybercrime and stealing. It further alleged that Elia, who grew up in the victim’s home, used access to the woman’s phones and banking information to transfer money into an account belonging to Uzoma, her boyfriend.

The allegations in that case remain subject to court proceedings.

In another case involving alleged illegal laboratory operations, authorities in May uncovered a suspected methamphetamine production facility in a forest in Ogun State, with raids also conducted in Lagos. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency described the operation as the largest clandestine methamphetamine seizure in Nigeria’s history.

The latest arrests underline the continued efforts of law enforcement agencies to investigate suspected illegal industrial and commercial activities across the country.