EFCC Arrests Two Chinese, One Other for Suspected Illegal Mining in Ilorin

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

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.

A statement issued in Ilorin yesterday signed by the  Head of Media and Publicity, EFCC,  Mr. Dele Oyewale and made available to newsmen stated that the suspects were arrested alongside  Chidi Joseph Osuji, 48, suspected to be an accomplice in the illegal business.

The statement  read:  “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.”

The statement added:  “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, and Igbeti and Ogbomosho in Oyo state by operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC on  February 5, 2024 .

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

In another development, the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC  has 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 centres, night clubs, hotels and parties without due authorisation.

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

According to the statement, the  suspects would soon be charged to court.