The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Command, has arrested 13 Chinese nationals for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities in the State.
Spokesperson of the Commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement in Ilorin on Thursday disclosed that the suspects are a female and 12 male who were arrested on Wednesday at the Government Reservation Area of Ilorin.
Uwujaren listed the suspects as Guo Ya Wang, 36; Lizli Hui, 42; Guo Jian Rong, 36; Lizh Shen Xianian, 37; Lishow Wu, 26; Guo Pan, 38; and Lia Meiyu, 53.
Also nabbed are Guo Kai Quan, 36; Lin Pan, 50; Ma Jan, 38; Wendy Wei Suqin, 31; Li Zhinguo Wei, 29; and Xie 53.
“This came about following credible intelligence about their activities, which included but were not limited to illegal mining, non-payment of royalties to the Federal Government as required by law”, Uwujaren stated.
He said their arrest was as a result of discreet investigations into the activities of illegal mining operators in Kwara.
The spokesperson revealed that the operators have different illegal mining sites in almost all the 16 Local Government Areas, LGAs, of the state.
“Upon interrogation, the arrested suspects confessed to be workers of a Chinese company known as W. Mining Global Service Limited, situated at Olayinka in Ifelodun LGA of the 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 company were without work permit, but came with visit permit from China to Abuja and traveled by road to Ilorin”, the spokesperson said.
Credible News recalls that the Acting Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulkarim Chukkol had recently lamented the activities of illegal mining operators in some parts of the country.
He described the act as grave threat to local and national economy.
Credible News reports that in recent months, no fewer than 80 illegal operators have been arrested by EFCC’s Ilorin Zonal Command and 24 truckloads of assorted minerals impounded.
The Command had on Sept. 10, 2022 arrested a Chinese national, the Managing Director of Sinuo Xinyang Nigeria Ltd., Dang Deng for being in possession of 25 tons of assorted crude minerals.
He was later convicted on Oct. 19 by Justice Mohammed Sani of the Federal High Court, Ilorin.
