The Associated Press published on 26 May 2024 an article titled "Nigeria Is Emerging as a Critical Mineral Hub. The Government Is Cracking Down on Illegal Operations" by Taiwo Adebayo.
Nigerian authorities recently arrested 32 persons, including two Chinese nationals, for engaging in illegal lithium mining. These arrests follow earlier seizures of lithium and arrest of Chinese nationals, who employ Nigerians to dig for the lithium at remote sites.
