– Arrests four suspects for Naira racketeering in Rivers, Kwara
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it has arrested two Chinese nationals, Yang Chao, 39, and Xiao Jiang, 38, for suspected illegal mining of solid minerals ranging from lepidolite, lithium, and marble stones without appropriate licenses.
The Chinese nationals, according to EFCC, were arrested alongside a Nigerian, Chidi Joseph Osuji, 48, suspected to be an accomplice in the illegal mining business.
EFCC on its official X handle said acting on intelligence, the suspects were trailed to their mining sites located at Ogunmakin and Ogere in Ogun State, where they were arrested after days of surveillance.
“Preliminary investigations showed that Chao and Chidi are working as factory managers and machine operators 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 the illegal mining of minerals such as marble stone, white powder, lithium and lepidolite, among others, which they transport 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 truckloads 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 earlier this month. They were arrested for engaging in mining activities without requisite licences.”
Meanwhile the EFCC has also arrested a banker, Soberechukwu Inya Ewa and a POS operator, Azubuike Mamwu Obasi for allegedly selling new Naira notes to customers for commercial purposes in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Similarly, EFCC has also arrested the trio of Sallah Asmau Wuraola, Owoduni Abdullahi Isa, who are POS operators and a nurse, Shuaibu Rukayat, for allegedly selling new Naira notes of different denominations to customers for commercial purposes in Ilorin, Kwara State.
While Obasi was caught with the sum of N554,600, Wuraola and Rukayat were caught with the sum of N1,220,000, while Isa was arrested with the sum of N150,000.
The EFCC further announced that all the suspects would soon be charged in court.
