EFCC Nabs Nine Suspected Illegal Miners in Niger State

Minna, Niger State – Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended nine individuals, including five Chinese nationals and four Nigerians, for alleged illegal mining activities in Kaniyan Village, Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.

The arrests, which followed actionable intelligence, are part of the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to curb illicit mining across the country. The suspects were identified as Wu Ping, Xu XianLiang, Xu Aimin, Xeu Cihuo, and Liu Changhua (Chinese nationals), along with Ibrahim Abdullahi, Sunday Oladele, Destiny John, and Bulus Samuel (Nigerians).

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During the operation, a wide array of equipment and materials believed to be used in their illegal operations were recovered. These include various power generating sets (Stamford, Super Quality, Inlong, Taiyo, Senwei SP6800, Laison 40000x, JMC, Yuchai, Elepaq, Honda, Super Zandaz), industrial crushing machines, a gold melting machine, dumper trucks, pay loaders, a Tacoma truck, a Lexus 470 SUV, diesel rubber tanks, a welding machine, activated carbon chemical, drilling machines, a filing machine, an extractor, gas cylinders, a detection device, small scales, mining head gear/safety caps, a laptop computer, and several bottles of chemicals, notably two cartons of explosives and three caps for blasting stones.

The EFCC stated that the suspects will face charges in court upon the conclusion of investigations, reinforcing the commission’s commitment to prosecuting those involved in economic sabotage through illegal mining. The commission has consistently intensified its operations against illegal mining, which poses a significant threat to the nation’s economy and environment. Recent efforts have led to arrests and convictions of illegal miners in various states.