Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 15 suspects, including 14 Chinese nationals and one Nigerian, over alleged illegal lithium processing activities in Ogere, Ogun State.
The EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 carried out the operation at four illegal lithium processing plants following credible intelligence and surveillance.
The commission disclosed the arrests on Monday through its official X handle, stating that the suspects were apprehended on October 23, 2026.
Items recovered during the operation included bags of lithium rocks, 18 mobile devices, four laptops, two decoders, a television remote control and a trailer truck.
The EFCC said the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
In a related development, the commission last Thursday arraigned two lovers, Marian Elia, 19, and Izuchukwu Uzoma, 21, over the alleged theft of 35.92 million naira belonging to Esther Ogbeifun in Benin City, Edo State.
The defendants were arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on cybercrime, conspiracy and stealing.
According to the EFCC, Elia, who grew up in the victim’s house, allegedly exploited her access to the victim’s phones and banking information to transfer the money into an account belonging to Uzoma, her boyfriend.
Meanwhile, in May, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency uncovered a Nigerian-Mexican methamphetamine syndicate allegedly operating from a concealed forest laboratory in Ogun State.
Three Mexican chemists and several Nigerian suspects were arrested during coordinated raids in Ogun and Lagos states.
The NDLEA described the operation as the largest clandestine methamphetamine seizure in Nigeria’s history.
