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.
They were
arrested alongside Chidi Joseph Osuji, 48, suspected to be an accomplice
in the illegal business.
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.
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 on February 5, 2024 .
They were arrested for engaging in mining activities without requisite
licences.
In another
vein, the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC have 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 centers, night clubs, hotels and parties without due
authorization.
Wuraola and
Rukayat were caught with the sum of N1,220,000 (One Million, Two hundred and
Twenty Thousand Naira Only) while Isa was arrested with the sum of N150,000
(One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only.
The suspects would soon be charged to court.
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