The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arraigned 15 Chinese nationals and nine Nigerian citizens before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged involvement in illegal mining activities in Nasarawa State.
The suspects were brought before Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia on charges bordering on unauthorized extraction of lithium, a critical mineral increasingly targeted by illegal mining operators due to its global demand in battery production and renewable energy industries.
According to court filings, the defendants were arrested on May 16, 2026, in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State during a coordinated operation carried out by the NSCDC Mining Marshals. The agency alleged that the group was conducting mining activities within a licensed exploration site belonging to TIMADIX Geomin Consult Ltd, in violation of Nigeria’s mining regulations.
The charges were filed under Section 1(8)(b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, which prohibits illegal mining and related unauthorized extraction of mineral resources.
The 15 Chinese nationals and nine Nigerians, alongside a company identified as C and A International New Energy Ltd, are accused of participating in unlawful mining operations without proper authorization.
During Tuesday’s proceedings in Abuja, defence counsel applied for bail on behalf of the defendants. The court granted bail but ordered all accused persons to surrender their international passports and valid identification documents to the court registry pending the conclusion of the trial. No financial bond was imposed.
The case has been adjourned until June 18, 2026, for hearing.
The NSCDC said the operation reflects its intensified crackdown on illegal mining activities across the country, particularly in mineral-rich regions such as Nasarawa State, where lithium deposits have attracted both legal and illegal operators.
Authorities have continued to warn against unauthorized mining, noting that such activities not only deprive the country of revenue but also cause environmental degradation and security concerns in affected communities.
The trial is expected to further shed light on the extent of foreign and local involvement in Nigeria’s growing illegal mining network.
