The Federal Government of Nigeria has arraigned a Nigerian and eight Chinese nationals, accused of engaging in illegal mining activities in Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, within Umunneochi local government area of Abia State.
The action was in furtherance of government’s efforts to rein in the country’s natural resource thieves and sanitise the minerals sector.
The suspects were recently apprehended by the Mining Marshals, a specially trained security outfit drafted from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and charged with the mandate of ridding the mining sector of illegal operators and rendering the mining environment safe for genuine investors.
LEADERSHIP reports that the Mining Marshals, codenamed ‘Operation Hayakin Kogo’, a brainchild of the minister of solid minerals development, Dr. Dele Alake, have arrested over 300 illegal miners in Nigeria since their unveiling in March 2024, with about 133 undergoing prosecution.
The trial of the Chinese and Nigerian suspects began Thursday before Justice J.K Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The prosecution filed a three-count charge, bordering on mining without lawful authority and obstruction of lawful mining operations, amongst others.
The defendants include Shen Yongchan, Mo Baixian, Xiao Bin, Huang Xu Fa, Ma Bingli, Yang Jian, Li Peiyin, Que Wenyong, Hiyk Edward Desmond, and Wanda Company Limited.
Upon hearing the pleas and arguments from both sides, the defendants were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until the adjourned date for the continuation of the trial.
The Mining Marshals, led by ACC Attah John Onoja, comprise a 2,570-strong force dedicated to eliminating the nefarious activities of criminal syndicates in mining areas across the country.
A statement by the special assistant to the minister, Segin Tomori, declared that Dr Alake was committed to strengthening the operations of the Mining Marshals through the infusion of technology and more equipment to ultimately ensure that the nation reaps maximum benefits from its God-given mineral resources.
LEADERSHIP reports that at a two-day stakeholders conference with the theme, “’Enhancing Inclusiveness – An Imperative for Promoting Transparency, Accountability, and Development in Nigeria’s Extractive Industry”, organised by Global Rights in partnership with NEITI, Ford Foundation and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development on Wednesday and Thursday in Abuja, one of the resources persons, His Royal Highness, Oba Omololu Afilaka, the Alatorin of Atorin, Ijesha, who narrated the ravages caused by illegal and artisanal miners in his community, mostly foreigners, called on government to compile a comprehensive registry of all operators in the Nigerian mining industry in order to track their activities and distinguish those who are law-abiding from the criminals among them.
He raised concern that some of the illegal foreign miners may be terrorists themselves or abetting terrorism in the country.
