The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian over alleged illegal lithium processing at four plants in the Ogere area of Ogun State.
The suspects were arrested on Friday, October 23, following intelligence and surveillance by operatives of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, the commission said on Monday.
Items recovered during the operation included bags of lithium rocks, 18 mobile devices, four laptops, two decoders, a television remote control and a trailer truck.
The EFCC disclosed the arrests in a statement on its official X account, adding that the suspects would be charged in court after investigations were concluded.
Lithium is a key mineral used in rechargeable batteries and other technologies. Its processing and trade have attracted growing attention because of the mineral’s economic value and the need to regulate mining and processing activities.
The commission did not disclose the identities of the suspects or provide further details about the ownership and operations of the plants.
The arrests form part of the EFCC’s enforcement activities against alleged economic and financial crimes.
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