Another two Chinese nationals have reportedly been arrested by operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) over offences bordering on illegal mining activities.
The suspects were arrested on Sunday at mining sites located at Isolo in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State.
It was gathered that, the arrested suspects were said to be under serious surveillance of the operatives of the EFCC before they were later arrested.
The EFCC had on Friday arrested two Chinese nationals, Yang Chao, 39, and Xiao Jiang 38 for suspected illegal mining activities.
The anti graft agency stated that, the suspects were arrested alongside Chidi Joseph Osuji, 48, suspected to be an accomplice in the illegal business.
However, a statement issued in Ilorin on Monday by the EFCC signed by Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale stated that, the new two Chinese nationals arrested are Xiao Yi, 50, and Duan Yahong, 52.
The statement said that, “the two Chinese expatriates were arrested alongside two others suspected to be accomplices in the illegal business.
“They are Mumini Jamiu and Israel Nwachukwu.
“The latest arrest brings to 48 the number of persons arrested for suspected illegal mining activities within the last two weeks by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC.
“The suspects were trailed to their mining sites located at Isolo in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, where they were arrested on Sunday, February, 18, 2024 after days of surveillance by the EFCC operatives”.
Mumuni, a driver, was arrested while conveying a truck loaded with solid minerals from Banni in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State to a Chinese Company in Lagos without lawful permit.
Items recovered from the suspects include a truck with registration number JJJ 386 XT containing substances suspected to be solid minerals, phones, and travel documents.
The suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations.
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
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