By Atoyebi Nike
Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested nine individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining activities in Kaniyan Village, Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
The suspects include five Chinese nationals—Wu Ping, Xu XianLiang, Xu Aimin, Xeu Cihuo, and Liu Changhua as well as four Nigerians identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi, Sunday Oladele, Destiny John, and Bulus Samuel.
According to the EFCC, the arrests followed actionable intelligence that prompted a targeted operation at the mining site. The operatives recovered a massive haul of equipment used in illegal mining operations during the raid.
Among the items seized were industrial generators, gold melting machines, dumper trucks, pay loaders, pumping machines, crushing equipment, and several explosive materials. The recovered items also included two cartons of explosives, blasting caps, mining safety gear, drilling tools, laptops, and chemical substances allegedly used in the mining process.
EFCC sources confirmed that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
The agency emphasized its commitment to clamping down on illegal mining activities, which continue to undermine Nigeria’s economic growth, environmental safety, and national security.
Illegal mining, particularly by foreign nationals, has drawn increasing concern from both state and federal authorities in recent years, prompting stronger enforcement efforts across mineral-rich zones in the country.
