The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kaduna Zonal Directorate, have arrested nine individuals over illegal mining activities in the Kaniyan Village, Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
Acting on a tip-off, the EFCC nabbed five Chinese nationals and four Nigerians. The Chinese suspects were identified as Wu Ping, Xu XianLiang, Xu Aimin, Xeu Cihuo, and Liu Changhua, while the Nigerian suspects were named as Ibrahim Abdullahi, Sunday Oladele, Destiny John, and Bulus Samuel.
A wide array of equipment and machinery linked to mining operations was recovered after the arrest. The recovered mining equipment includes multiple power-generating sets, industrial crushing machines, a gold melting machine, pay loaders, dumper trucks, water pumping machines, a Tacoma truck, and a Lexus 470 SUV.
Other recovered items included welding machines, drilling devices, activated carbon chemicals, explosives, blasting caps, safety gear, a detection device, a laptop, and other tools typically associated with unregulated mineral extraction.
EFCC stated that investigations are still ongoing, while the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of inquiries.
