By Nkechi Eze
Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested nine suspects for alleged involvement in illegal mining activities in Niger State. The arrest, which followed credible intelligence, took place in Kaniyan Village, Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.
According to an official statement signed by the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the arrested suspects include five Chinese nationals identified as Wu Ping, Xu XianLiang, Xu Aimin, Xeu Cihuo, and Liu Changhua. The four Nigerian suspects are Ibrahim Abdullahi, Sunday Oladele, Destiny John, and Bulus Samuel. The EFCC disclosed that the suspects were apprehended while engaging in mining operations without lawful permits, in clear violation of Nigeria’s mineral and financial regulations.
During the arrest operation, the EFCC operatives recovered a substantial cache of industrial mining equipment, heavy-duty machinery, vehicles, and chemicals used in the illegal activity. Items found in the suspects’ possession include various brands of power generating sets, industrial and small crushing machines, gold melting equipment, water pumping machines, dumper trucks, pay loaders, and other mechanical tools. Also recovered were several welding machines, drilling equipment, blasting accessories including explosives and blasting caps, chemical substances, a laptop computer, detection devices, and safety mining gear.
The EFCC confirmed that the scale and sophistication of the equipment recovered point to a well-organized and extensive illegal mining operation, raising further concerns about the environmental and economic impact of such unregulated activities. The presence of foreign nationals among the suspects also underscores the transnational dimensions of illegal mining in Nigeria.
The Commission stated that the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. It reiterated its resolve to combat economic and environmental crimes and warned both local and foreign actors involved in illicit exploitation of Nigeria’s natural resources that the full force of the law will be applied.
The EFCC further urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious mining activities in their communities, noting that the protection of Nigeria’s economic integrity is a collective responsibility.
