Eight Chinese nationals and one Nigerian are arrested by the FG for illegal mining
The arraignment of multiple Chinese nationals for unlawful mining activities in Lokpaukwu village, Umuchieze, inside Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, has significantly bolstered the Federal Government’s efforts to curb illicit mining.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)-trained Mining Marshals, an elite security unit, recently captured the suspects, who included eight Chinese nationals and one Nigerian. Eliminating illicit operators from the mining sector is the responsibility of the Marshals.
Segun Tomori, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, was informed of this in a statement released on Friday by the Special Assistant on Media.
He claimed that Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, is the one who came up with the idea for the Mining Marshals, also known as “Operation Hayakin Kogo.” He also added that the program is a key part of Alake’s seven-point plan to clean up the mining environment.
Yesterday marked the start of the suspects’ trial before Federal High Court, Abuja Judge J.K. Omotosho. The prosecution brought a three-count complaint that included, among other things, mining without permission and obstructing authorized mining activities.
“WANDA COMPANY LIMITED, YANG JIAN, LI PEIYIN, QUE WENYONG, HIYK EDWARD DESMOND, HUANG XU FA, XIAO BIN, SHEN YONGCHAN, and MO BAIXIAN are among the defendants.
The defendants were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre till the date of the trial’s adjournment after hearing the pleas and arguments made by both parties.
“The Minister is committed to strengthening the operations of the Mining Marshals through the infusion of technology and more equipment to ultimately ensure that the nation reaps maximum benefits from its God-given mineral resources,” the statement read. “The Mining Marshals, led by ACC John Onoja, comprise a 2,570-strong force dedicated to eliminating the nefarious activities of criminal syndicates in mining areas across the country.”
