Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested nine individuals for alleged involvement in illegal mining activities in Niger State.
The suspects—five Chinese nationals and four Nigerians—were apprehended in Kaniyan Village, Mokwa Local Government Area, following credible intelligence on their illicit operations.
The Chinese nationals have been identified as Wu Ping, Xu XianLiang, Xu Aimin, Xeu Cihuo, and Liu Changhua. The Nigerian suspects are Ibrahim Abdullahi, Sunday Oladele, Destiny John, and Bulus Samuel.
A wide range of heavy-duty and industrial equipment was recovered from the suspects, including:
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Multiple power generating sets (Stamford, Inlong, Taiyo, Senwei, Laison, JMC, Yuchai)
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Three industrial and three small industrial crushing machines
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One gold melting machine
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Four small dumper trucks, three pay loaders
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A Tacoma truck and a Lexus 470 SUV
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Several water pumping and welding machines
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Two cartons of explosives, blasting caps, safety gear, laptop, scales, and seven bottles of chemicals.
The EFCC said the operation is part of its renewed crackdown on illegal mining and economic sabotage, particularly in resource-rich states.
The Commission confirmed that the suspects will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations.
Illegal mining has remained a major concern in Nigeria, with significant revenue losses and environmental damage attributed to the activities of unlicensed operators, often in collaboration with foreign nationals.
