Economic Sabotage: EFCC arrests 14 Chinese nationals, 1 Nigerian over illegal lithium processing plants

*The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission discloses how its operatives attached to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 arrested 14 Chinese and a Nigerian at four illegal lithium processing plants in the Ogere area of Ogun State

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to credible intelligence and surveillance, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 14 Chinese nationals and a Nigerian for illegally operating four lithium processing plants in Ogun State, South-West region.

The EFCC, in a statement Monday, October 26, 2026, said its operatives arrested three suspects last Friday during an intelligence-led operation targeting unapproved lithium processing plants, in Ogere area of the state.

Seplat Energy highlights role of transparency, strong corporate governance in structured financing

The Commission also stated: “Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 14 Chinese and one Nigerian at four illegal lithium processing plants in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

“The suspects were arrested on Friday, October 23, 2026, following credible intelligence and surveillance.”

The anti-graft regulatory agency also revealed the operatives found bags containing lithium rocks, mobile phones, laptops, decoders, and a trailer in the possession of the suspects during the raid in their hideout in the state.

The Commission further said: “‎Upon their arrest, bags of lithium rocks, 18 mobile devices, four computer laptops, two decoders, a television remote control, and a trailer truck were recovered from the suspects.”

The statement added ‎the suspects would be prosecuted as soon as investigations into the illegal resource processing plants case are completed.