File photo: NSCDC officers

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arraigned 15 Chinese nationals and nine Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged illegal lithium mining in Nasarawa State.

The defendants were arraigned before Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, Federal High Court, Abuja, following their arrest on May 16, 2026, in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The Commander of the Mining Marshals, Attah Onoja, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

According to court documents, the defendants were accused of conducting mining operations without lawful authority within an area covered by Exploration Licence No. 036528-EL, owned by TIMADIX Geomin Consult Ltd.