Mokwa, Niger State, July 9, 2025 — Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested nine individuals, including five Chinese nationals and four Nigerians, for engaging in illegal mining activities in Kaniyan Village, located in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
The suspects were apprehended following actionable intelligence that exposed their illicit mining operations, which are suspected to be conducted without legal licenses or adherence to environmental and regulatory standards.
The Chinese suspects include Wu Ping, Xu XianLiang, Xu Aimin, Xeu Cihuo, and Liu Changhua. The Nigerians arrested are Ibrahim Abdullahi, Sunday Oladele, Destiny John, and Bulus Samuel.
Upon their arrest, a substantial cache of industrial mining equipment, heavy-duty vehicles, chemicals, explosives, and machinery was recovered from their site. Among the confiscated items were:
Several power generating sets, including brands like Stamford, Inlong, Taiyo, and Yuchai;
Three industrial crushing machines and three smaller crushers;
Four dumper trucks, three pay loaders, a Tacoma truck, and a Lexus 470 SUV;
Gold melting machine, drilling machines, activated carbon chemicals, and blasting caps;
Two cartons of explosives, gas cylinders, laptop, and mining safety gear.
The operation marks one of the most significant seizures in recent times linked to illegal mining in Nigeria, highlighting the growing scale and sophistication of the illicit extractive industry.
According to EFCC sources, the suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing. Upon completion of preliminary findings, they are expected to be formally charged to court.
The EFCC reiterated its commitment to dismantling illegal mining networks that threaten Nigeria’s economic stability, deplete natural resources, and violate environmental laws. The commission also warned that foreign nationals involved in illegal economic activities will be prosecuted in accordance with Nigerian law and may face deportation after judicial processes.
Illegal mining has been a growing concern for authorities, especially in the North-Central region, where the exploitation of solid minerals such as gold, tantalite, and lithium has attracted both local and international cartels operating outside legal frameworks.
This latest operation signals a renewed offensive by the EFCC to curb illegal resource extraction and ensure that mineral wealth contributes meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic development.