Officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 13 Chinese nationals over offences bordering on illegal mining activities in Ilorin, Kwara State. The offence is contrary to, and punishable under Section 1(8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983.
A female and 12 male Chinese were arrested on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Government Reserved Area (G.R.A.), Ilorin, following credible intelligence about their activities, including illegal mining and non-payment of royalties to the Federal Government as required by law.
The suspects are identified as Guo Ya Wang (36), Lizli Hui (42), Guo Jian Rong (36), Lizh Shen Xianian (37), Lishow Wu (26), Guo Pan (38), Lia Meiyu (53), Guo Kai Quan (36) and Lin Pan (50).
Others are Ma Jan (38), Wendy Wei Suqin (31), Li Zhinguo Wei (29) and Xie Zhinguo (53). Prior to their arrest, investigations on illegal miners in Kwara revealed that the operators had different illegal mining sites in almost all the 16 local councils of the state.
Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to be workers of a Chinese Company in Ifelodun Local Council. It was gathered that the company was producing marble and selling within Nigeria.
Findings also revealed that some of the employees were without Work Permit, but only came with Visit Permit from China to Abuja and travelled by road to Ilorin. The suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigation.
Acting Executive Chairman of EFCC, Abdulkarim Chukkol, had, penultimate Thursday, July during a training for journalists in Kwara, lamented the activities of illegal miners, describing them as grave threat to local and national economy.
Within the last eight months, no fewer than 80 illegal operators have reportedly been arrested by the Ilorin Zonal Command of EFCC and 24 truckloads of assorted minerals impounded.
EFCC warned that it would be unrelenting in the fight against corruption, just as it is leaving no stone unturned in breaking the ring of the illegal miner across the country.
