OPERATIVES of the Ilorin zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested two Chinese, identified as Yang (39) and Xiao (38) for suspected illegal mining activities.
In a statement by the head, media and publicity of the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, the suspects were arrested alongside 48-year-old Chidi (surname withheld), 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 Yang and Chidi are working as factory manager and machine operator 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 truck loads 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.”
In another development, the Ilorin zonal command of the EFCC has also arrested three suspects for allegedly selling new naira notes of different denominations to customers for commercial purposes.
The anti-graft agency said that the arrest of the suspects followed credible intelligence on elements selling new naira notes to people at event centres, night clubs, hotels and parties without due authorisation.
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