Latest news: EFCC arrests 13 Chinese nationals suspected of illegal mining operations in Kwara

EFCC arrests 13 Chinese nationals suspected of illegal mining operations in Kwara

operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s Ilorin Regional Command (EFCC) have arrested 13 Chinese nationals on charges of illegal mining in Ilorin, Kwara state. The offense is punishable under section 1(8)(b) of Cap M17 of the Miscellaneous Offenses Act 1983.

The suspects, comprising a female and 12 males, were arrested on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at the G.R.A Ilorin Government Reserve based on credible intelligence about their activities, including but not limited to illegal mining and non-payment of royalties. catch. Federal Government as required by law.

The suspects are Guo Yawang (36 years old), Lizli Hui (42 years old), Guo Jianrong (36 years old), Lizh Shen Xianian (37 years old), Lishow Wu (26 years old), Guo Pan (38 years old), Lia Meiyu (53 years old), Guo Kaiquan (36 years old), Lin Pan (50 years old)

Others include Ma Jian (38), Wei Suqin (31), Li Zhiguowei (29) and Xie Zhiguo (53).

Before their arrests, discrete investigations into the activities of illegal mining operators in Kwara State had revealed that the operators had separate illegal mining sites in almost all of the state’s 16 local government areas.

After interrogation, the suspect admitted that he was a worker of a Chinese company named “*W”. Mining Global Service Limited* is located in Olayinka, Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State. The company is understood to be using illegally mined granite to produce marble for local sale in Nigeria. The findings also revealed that some of the suspects working for the company did not have “work permits” and entered Nigeria on visitor visas only.

After the investigation, the suspect will be arraigned.

Recall that EFCC Acting Executive Chairman Abdulkarim Chukkol condemned the activities of illegal mining operators during a one-day media training for journalists in Kwara State on Thursday, 6 July 2023, saying they pose a serious threat to the local and national economy. threaten.

In the past eight months, EFCC’s Ilorin regional command has arrested at least 80 illegal operators and seized 24 truckloads of various minerals.

EFCC Ilorin Regional Command arrested Dang Deng, Managing Director of Snow Sun Sun Limited, Nigeria, on September 10, 2022, for possession of 25 tons of various raw ores and was convicted on October 19, 2022. Federal High Court Judge Mohammad Sani Ilorin.

The EFCC has warned that it will spare no effort to fight corruption, just as it has spared no effort to break the circle of illegal mining operators across the country.

arewanahiya.com