Four Chinese Nationals, 27 Others Arrested for Illegal Mining in Plateau State

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested four Chinese nationals and 27 Nigerians for alleged involvement in illegal mining activities in Jos.

The commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Tuesday, March 11, in Abuja.

According to the EFCC, the suspects were taken into custody on Saturday at the premises of Jiasheng Nigeria Limited, located at Dura Rayfield, Mangu Road, Jos. The operation was carried out following credible intelligence linking the company to illegal mining operations in the state.

Among those arrested were suppliers found in possession of unprocessed solid minerals believed to have been illegally mined. During the raid, EFCC operatives seized a truck loaded with eight bags of processed monazite, each weighing 1,000kg and valued at N4 million.

The EFCC stated that investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be prosecuted in court once the probe is concluded.