The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 15 suspects, including 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian, over their alleged involvement in the operation of four illegal lithium processing plants in Ogun State.
The arrests followed an intelligence-led operation conducted by operatives of the commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 in the Ogere area of the state on Friday, October 23, 2026.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday, explaining that the operation was carried out following credible intelligence and surveillance activities.
According to the commission, the suspects were apprehended in connection with four facilities allegedly being used for unauthorised lithium processing.
During the operation, EFCC operatives recovered several items believed to be relevant to the ongoing investigation.
The recovered materials included bags of 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 provide details about their individual roles in the alleged operations.
It also did not specify the quantity or estimated value of the lithium materials recovered from the facilities.
Oyewale said investigations were continuing and that the suspects would be charged before a court upon their conclusion.
The arrests draw attention to concerns surrounding the regulation of mineral processing activities and the enforcement of applicable laws within Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.
Lithium is a mineral used in rechargeable batteries and other technologies, making it an important raw material in the production of electric vehicles, electronic devices and energy storage systems.
However, the EFCC’s announcement did not establish whether the recovered lithium was intended for domestic processing, commercial distribution or export.
The agency also did not disclose whether the facilities possessed any mining or mineral-processing permits, beyond describing their operations as illegal.
Details of the intelligence that led investigators to the sites were not provided in the statement.
The involvement of foreign nationals in the alleged activities is expected to form part of the investigation, although the commission has not announced any specific charges against the suspects.
The EFCC’s statement likewise did not indicate how long the four facilities had been operating before the arrests.
For now, the case remains at the investigative stage, with prosecutors expected to determine the appropriate charges if the evidence supports further legal action.
The commission maintained that all 15 suspects would be brought before a court after investigations were completed.
No trial date has been announced, and the allegations against the suspects have not yet been determined by a court.
Ezeana Emmanuel
