The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has made significant strides in combating illegal mining activities with the recent arrest of two Chinese individuals, Yang Chao, 39, and Xiao Jiang, 38, alongside Chidi Joseph Osuji, 48, suspected to be an Accomplice.

The arrests were made following diligent surveillance and intelligence gathering, leading to the apprehension of the suspects at their mining sites in Ogunmakin and Ogere, Ogun State. Investigations revealed that Chao and Chidi are employed as a factory manager and machine operator, respectively, at Cruis Chemical Nigeria Limited in Ogunmakin, while Jiang serves as an assistant manager at John Odiba Multibiz in Ogere.

The trio, operating as a cartel, allegedly engage in illegal mining activities, extracting minerals such as marble stone, white powder, lithium, and lepidolite, among others. These minerals are transported outside the country through illicit means for personal gains.

Furthermore, investigations have linked the suspects to the ownership of solid minerals confiscated during the arrest of 41 individuals engaged in mining activities without proper licenses across Kwara and Oyo states on February 5, 2024.

In a separate development, the EFCC’s Ilorin Zonal Command also apprehended Sallah Asmau Wuraola, Owoduni Abdullahi Isa (also known as Bolaji), both Point of Sale (PoS) cashiers, and Shuaibu Rukayat, a nurse from Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, for allegedly vending new naira notes to customers for commercial purposes.

The arrests were made following actionable intelligence on the illicit trade of new currency notes at various social gatherings and establishments without proper authorization.

During the operation, Wuraola and Rukayat were found in possession of N1,220,000.00 (One Million, Two Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira Only), while Isa was apprehended with N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only).

The suspects are set to face prosecution in due course.

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