The Ilorin, Kwara State zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested two more Chinese expatriates over alleged illegal mining activities.

Disclosing this on its official X handle on Monday, the agency’s head of media and publicity, Dele Oyewale, revealed that the suspects were Xiao Yi, 50, and Duan Yahong, 52, along with two suspected accomplices identified as Mumini Jamiu and Israel Nwachukwu.

According to Mr Oyewale, with the latest arrest, 48 suspects are in the agency’s custody for illegal mining in the last two weeks.

Mr Oyewale in the statement stated that the latest “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.

“Jamiu, 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.

Mr Oyewale said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

The latest arrest came a day after the EFCC said it arrested two Chinese nationals, Yang Chao, 39, and Xiao Jiang, 38, and one Nigerian, Joseph Osuji, for a similar offence in Ogun State.