Nigerian Government Arraigns Eight Chinese Nationals for Illegal Mining.
The Nigerian government’s ongoing efforts to tackle illegal mining saw a significant development on Thursday with the arraignment of eight Chinese nationals and one Nigerian for illegal mining activities in the Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, within the Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
The accused, apprehended by the Mining Marshals—an elite security unit formed from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)—were brought before Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The prosecution filed a three-count charge against the defendants, including mining without lawful authority and obstruction of lawful mining operations.
The defendants, identified as SHEN YONGCHAN, MO BAIXIAN, XIAO BIN, HUANG XU FA, MA BINGLI, YANG JIAN, LI PEIYIN, QUE WENYONG, HIYK EDWARD DESMOND, and WANDA COMPANY LIMITED, were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the continuation of the trial.
The Mining Marshals, codenamed “Operation Hayakin Kogo,” is an initiative launched by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake. This initiative is a key element of the minister’s seven-point agenda aimed at sanitizing the mining environment and eliminating illegal operators.
Led by ACC John Onoja, the Mining Marshals consist of a 2,570-strong force dedicated to combating the criminal syndicates that plague mining areas across Nigeria. The minister has committed to enhancing the effectiveness of the Mining Marshals through the integration of technology and additional equipment, ensuring that Nigeria maximizes the benefits from its mineral resources.
