Olamilekan Abayomi
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining Marshals took 15 Chinese nationals and 9 Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Sunday May 31, 2026 over alleged illegal lithium mining in Nasarawa State. The defendants were arrested on May 16, 2026 in Kokona Local Government Area after NSCDC operatives stormed a mining site. According to the corps, the group was found operating within an area covered by Exploration Licence No. 036528-EL, which belongs to TIMADIX Geomin Consult Ltd, located around longitude 8° 4’ 12”E and latitude 8° 34’ 12”N. The charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/281/2026 accuses them of conducting mining activities without lawful authority, contrary to Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. For NSCDC, the case is part of a broader enforcement drive targeting illegal extraction of strategic minerals.
The 15 Chinese nationals named in court are Liu Jiabin, Hu Yunzhong, Zhou Yinmou, Zhao Feng, Zhang Yu, Tian Shuqun, Huang Ruqian, Liu Yanliang, Yang Xiaobin, Huang Meiyun, Yuan Tao, Jia Qiuyong, Chen Menghao, Deng Peiming and Yu Yanhai. The Nigerians arraigned alongside them include Thankgod Sani, Abubakar Nuhu, Jonathan Akpa Sunday, Pius Favour, Agada Joshua, Sani Osu, Haruna Asambe, Elenekou Akoete Joli, plus the corporate entity C and A International New Energy Ltd. NSCDC Commander of the Mining Marshals, Attah Onoja, said the suspects were apprehended during a coordinated operation and that investigations showed they had no valid licence to mine in the location. The inclusion of both foreigners and locals reflects the pattern security agencies keep finding, where foreign operators provide funding and equipment while Nigerians handle logistics and access to communities.
When proceedings began before Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia in Court 6, defense counsel Prof. M. T. Adekilekun, SAN, applied for bail and gave assurances that all defendants would attend trial. The judge granted the application and ordered their release to counsel pending trial, with strict conditions. Each defendant was directed to deposit their international passport and national identity card with the court registrar. No monetary bond or sureties were demanded, but the court made it clear that failure to appear would have serious consequences. The matter was adjourned to June 18, 2026 for trial to commence, giving both prosecution and defense time to prepare arguments around the evidence gathered at the Kokona site.
Illegal lithium mining has become a major concern for the federal government because lithium is now a strategic mineral powering batteries for electric vehicles, phones, and renewable energy storage. Nasarawa State sits on some of Nigeria’s richest lithium deposits, which has attracted both licensed investors and illegal operators. Unregulated mining destroys farmland, pollutes water sources, and deprives the government of revenue through royalties and taxes. It also creates security risks, with armed groups sometimes protecting mining pits. The FG set up the NSCDC Mining Marshals in 2024 specifically to tackle this, and since then there have been several high-profile raids and arraignments, but the trade persists due to high global demand and weak local oversight in rural areas.
The Kokona case is significant because it involves a large number of foreign nationals arrested at once, suggesting a well-organized operation rather than artisanal miners. Chinese companies have been heavily involved in Nigeria’s mining sector, both legally and illegally, often partnering with local firms or individuals. The presence of C and A International New Energy Ltd among the accused points to how corporate vehicles are sometimes used to mask illegal activity. For communities in Kokona, illegal mining means environmental damage and conflict over land, while the state loses out on royalties that could fund development. That is why the federal government has been pushing for stricter licensing, community engagement, and joint operations between NSCDC, the military, and state governments.
This arraignment sends a signal that authorities are watching Nasarawa closely and will prosecute offenders regardless of nationality. Still, the challenge remains enforcement after arrests. Bail conditions requiring passport deposits are meant to prevent flight risk, but observers will be watching the June 18 trial date to see if convictions follow. If the court imposes strong penalties, it could deter more operators. If not, illegal miners may treat fines as just another cost of business. For now, the NSCDC says it will continue mop-up operations across Nasarawa and other lithium-rich states, working with the Ministry of Solid Minerals to verify licences and shut down illegal sites. The outcome of this case will likely shape how aggressively that campaign continues.
