EFCC busts illegal lithium plants in Ogun, arrests 14 Chinese

The arrested suspects. Credit: EFCC Nigeria/X.

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

The anti-graft agency stated on Monday via its X handle that the operation was carried out when its operatives busted the illegal lithium plants.

It said the 15 suspects were arrested last Friday, October 23, 2026, adding that lithium rocks, laptops, among others, were recovered from the operation.

The tweet read, “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.

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“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 suspects will be charged in court upon conclusion of investigations.”

PUNCH Online reported last Thursday that the commission arraigned two lovers, Marian Elia, 19, and Izuchukwu Uzoma, 21, over the alleged theft of N35.92 million belonging to one Mrs Esther Ogbeifun in Benin, Edo State.

According to the commission, the defendants were arraigned on a seven-count charge “bordering on cybercrime, conspiracy and stealing.”

The EFCC alleged that Elia, who grew up in the victim’s house, had access to her phones and banking information, which she allegedly used to transfer the money into an account belonging to Uzoma, her boyfriend.