EFCC Busts Suspected Illegal Mining Cartel In Ilorin

In a crackdown on suspected illegal mining activities in Ilorin, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended a local accomplice along with two Chinese nationals….READ ALSO

The suspects were identified as Chidi Joseph Osuji, 48, and Chinese nationals Yang Chao, 39, and Xiao Jiang, 38.

Acting on intelligence, the EFCC operatives trailed the suspects to their mining sites located at Ogunmakin and Ogere in Ogun State, where they were arrested after days of surveillance. Investigations revealed that Chao and Chidi worked as a factory manager and machine operator, respectively, at Cruis Chemical Nigeria Limited in Ogunmakin. Jiang, on the other hand, was employed as an assistant manager at John Odiba Multibiz in Ogere.

The trio allegedly operated as a cartel specializing in illegal mining of minerals such as marble stone, white powder, lithium, and lepidolite, among others. These minerals were reportedly transported outside the country through illegitimate means for private gains.

Furthermore, the EFCC’s investigations linked the suspects to the ownership of solid minerals being conveyed by 41 other suspects arrested in Kwara and Oyo states. These suspects were apprehended for engaging in mining activities without the requisite licenses.

In a separate operation, the EFCC also arrested three individuals—Sallah Asmau Wuraola, Owoduni Abdullahi Isa (a.k.a Bolaji), and Shuaibu Rukayat—for allegedly selling new naira notes of different denominations for commercial purposes. The trio, comprising Point of Sale (PoS) cashiers and a nurse from Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, were apprehended following credible intelligence on the unauthorized sale of new naira notes at event centers, nightclubs, hotels, and parties.

During the operation, Wuraola and Rukayat were found in possession of N1,220,000 (One Million, Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira Only), while Isa was arrested with N150,000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only).

The arrests mark a significant effort by the EFCC to curb illegal mining activities and currency racketeering, contributing to the agency’s ongoing efforts to combat economic crimes across Nigeria.