The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested two Chinese: Yang Chao (39), and Xiao Jiang(38) for suspected illegal mining activities, as well as a nurse and two others for suspected currency racketeering.
Penpushing reports that Head, Media and Publicity of the commission Dele Oyewale made this known in a statement adding that the Chinese were arrested alongside Chidi Joseph Osuji, (48), suspected to be an accomplice in the illegal business.
The statement explained that acting on intelligence, the suspects were trailed to their mining sites located at Ogunmakin and Ogere towns of Ogun State, where they were arrested after days of surveillance.
Penpushing further reports that Oyewale said 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 statement added that 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.
Penpushing also reports that the commission said 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 .
The statement stated that the operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on February 5, 2024 arrested the suspects for engaging in mining activities without requisite licences.
Penpushing reports that in another development the agency 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 statement explained that 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.
Penpushing further reports that the commission disclosed that Wuraola and Rukayat were caught with the sum of N1,220,000, while Isa was arrested with the sum of N150,000 adding that the suspects would soon be charged to court.
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