EFCC arrests 13 Chinese over alleged illegal mining in Kwara

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 13 Chinese nationals over offences bordering on illegal mining activities in Ilorin, Kwara State.

EFCC in a statement on Thursday, July 13, said the offence is contrary to, and p¥ni§hable under Section 1(8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983.

“The suspects, which comprise of a female and 12 male, were arrested on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at G.R.A Ilorin following credible intelligence about their activities which included but not limited to, 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, discrete investigations on the activities of illegal mining operators in Kwara State revealed that the operators have different illegal mining sites in almost all the 16 Local Government Areas 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.

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,” the statement reads.