Illegal Mining: EFCC Arrests Two Chinese, One Other In Kwara

Two Chinese, identified as Yang (39) and Xiao (38) have been arrested by operatives of the Ilorin zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for suspected illegal mining activities.

This was made known in a statement by the head, media and publicity of the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale.

According to Oyewale, the suspects were arrested alongside 48-year-old Chidi (surname withheld), suspected to be an accomplice in the illegal business.

He said, “Acting on intelligence, the suspects were trailed to their mining sites located at Ogunmakin and Ogere, Ogun State, where they were arrested after days of surveillance.

“Preliminary investigations showed that Yang and Chidi are working as factory managers and machine operators respectively with a company located at Ogunmakin, while Xiao works with another company as an assistant manager in Ogere.

“The suspects, who operate as a cartel allegedly specialise in illegal mining of minerals such as marble stone, white powder, lithium and lepidolite, among others, which they are transporting outside the country through illegitimate means for private gains.

“Investigations also linked the three suspects as owners of the solid minerals being conveyed by the 41 suspects arrested with truckloads of minerals at Share, Banni, Lade, Patigi and Okolowo in Kwara State, and Igbeti and Ogbomosho in Oyo State by operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC on February 5.

“They were arrested for engaging in mining activities without requisite licences.”