Nine Arrested for Illegal Mining Activities in Niger
- Nine suspected illegal miners were arrested in Niger State.
- The arrested include five Chinese nationals and four Nigerians.
- A large quantity of sophisticated mining equipment was seized during the operation.
Nine Arrested for Illegal Mining Operations in Niger
Authorities in Nigeria have arrested a group of nine individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining activities in Niger State. These arrests were made by the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The operation targeted Kaniyan Village, Mokwa Local Council, based on reliable intelligence regarding the illegal operations underway there.
Diverse Nationalities Involved in Mining Arrests
The detained suspects include five Chinese nationals and four Nigerian individuals. The Chinese nationals are identified as Wu Ping, Xu Xianliang, Xu Aimin, Xiu Cihuo, and Liu Changhua. On the Nigerian side, those arrested are Ibrahim Abdullahi, Sunday Oladele, Destiny John, and Bulus Samuel, raising concerns about foreign involvement in illegal mining ventures.
Wide Array of Mining Equipment Seized
During the arrest, a substantial amount of mining equipment was seized. Items retrieved include several power generating sets, industrial crushing machines, dumper trucks, and an array of other machinery. The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that all suspects would face legal actions once the investigations are completed, highlighting the agency’s commitment to tackling illegal mining in the region.
This operation underscores the Nigerian government’s ongoing fight against illegal mining, with the recent arrests showcasing international and domestic involvement. The EFCC’s actions reflect an important step in safeguarding the country’s natural resources. Legal actions against the suspects seem imminent as investigations continue, stressing the seriousness of illegal mining operations.
