EFCC nabs 13 Chinese nationals over illegal mining activities

• The suspects were arrested on Wednesday in Ilorin
• EFCC said the suspects have illegal mining sites in almost all LGA in Kwara
• The offence is contrary to, and punishable under Section 1(8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983

Thirteen Chinese citizens have been apprehended for illegal mining activities in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The suspects were arrested by operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday.

The anti-graft agency announced the development in a statement signed by Mr Wilson Uwuajaren, its head of Media and Publicity on Thursday and made available to newsmen.

According to the statement, the suspects comprised a female and 12 male.

The statement said that they were arrested on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the Government Reserved Area, G.R.A Ilorin, following credible intelligence about their activities which included but were not limited to, illegal mining and non-payment of royalties to the Federal Government as required by law.

“The suspects are Guo Ya Wang (36), Lizli Hui (42), Guo Jian Rong (36), Lizh Shen Xianian (37), Lishow Wu (26), Guo Pan (38), Lia Meiyu (53), Guo Kai Quan (36) Lin Pan (50).

“Others are Ma Jan (38), Wendy Wei Suqin (31), Li Zhinguo Wei (29) and Xie Zhinguo (53).

“Prior to their arrest, discrete investigations on the activities of illegal mining operators in Kwara State revealed that the operators have different illegal mining sites in almost all the 16 Local Government Areas of the State.

“Upon interrogation, the arrested suspects confessed to being workers of a Chinese Company known as W. Mining Global Service Limited situated at Olayinka in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.

“It was gathered that the company was using the illegally mined crude to produce marble and sell locally within Nigeria. Findings also revealed that some of the suspects working in the said company were without ‘work permit’, but only came with ‘visit permit’ from China to Abuja and travelled by road to Ilorin,” EFCC said.

The suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigations.