EFCC arrests two Chinese, one other for suspected illegal mining in Ilorin

 Stanley Ihedigbo

Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), have arrested two Chinese: Yang Chao, 39, and Xiao Jiang 38 for suspected illegal mining activities.

According to the Head, Media & Publicity, EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, they were arrested alongside Chidi Joseph Osuji, 48, suspected to be an accomplice in the illegal business.

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 Chao and Chidi are working as factory manager and machine operator respectively with Cruis Chemical Nigeria Limited located at Ogunmakin in Ogun State, while Jiang works with John Odiba Multibiz as an assistant manager in Ogere, Ogun State.

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, and Igbeti and Ogbomosho in Oyo state by operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC on February 5, 2024. They were arrested for engaging in mining activities without requisite licenses.

In another vein, the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC  have also arrested the trio of Sallah Asmau Wuraola, Owoduni Abdullahi Isa (a.k.a Bolaji) who are Point of Sale,  PoS cashiers  and one Shuaibu Rukayat, a nurse from Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, for allegedly selling new naira notes of  different denominations to customers for commercial purposes.

The arrest of the suspects followed credible intelligence on elements selling new naira notes to people at event centers, night clubs, hotels and parties without due authorization.

Wuraola and Rukayat were caught with the sum of N1, 220,000 while Isa was arrested with the sum of N150, 000.

The suspects would soon be charged to court.