Fifteen Chinese nationals and nine Nigerians have been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged illegal lithium mining operations in Nasarawa State.
The suspects were brought to court by the Mining Marshals, the special security unit of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, following a crackdown on unauthorised mining activities in the state. They were arrested in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State for allegedly mining lithium without valid licences.
The Mining Marshals have been intensifying operations across mineral-rich states to curb illegal mining, which the federal government estimates costs the country billions of naira in lost revenue annually. Lithium, an important mineral for battery and electric vehicle production, has attracted significant interest from foreign miners in recent years.
The court has adjourned the case for further hearing. The defendants were remanded in custody pending the determination of their bail applications.
Sources: TheCable, Channels TV
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