Seven Chinese caught by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for illegal mining in Kwara State were found without passports.
The EFCC Zonal Commander in Kwara State, Michael Nzekwe who spoke journalists in the area said the commission arrested 13 Chinese illegal miners with five possessing Nigerian passports.
According to him, the offence is contrary to, and punishable under Section 1(8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983.
‘‘A female and 12 male Chinese were arrested on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Government Reserved Area (G.R.A.), Ilorin, following credible intelligence about their activities, including 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, investigations on illegal miners in Kwara revealed that the operators had different illegal mining sites in almost all the 16 local councils of the state,’’ he stated.
Nzekwe said, ”The Chinese Illegal miners are 13 in number, twelve male and one female. They were mining in areas where they didn’t have access to, they also breached the money laundering act. They don’t pay royalty, there’s no evidence of payment of royalty. Other issues are also being handled by Immigration, the sister agency.
‘‘There are certain expectations that they should have met before coming into the country. Out of the 13 Chinese illegal miners that were arrested, only 5 have their passports. Nigeria is the only country that we have, so we must protect everything that we have.”
He said the commission will prosecute the illegal foreigners for breaching the Money Laundering Act in court upon the conclusion of investigation.
Nigerians are still at loss how the illegal immigrants escaped the eagle eyes of the Nigerian Immigration Service.
Meanwhile, acting Executive Chairman of EFCC, Abdulkarim Chukkol, had, penultimate Thursday, July during a training for journalists in Kwara, lamented the activities of illegal miners, describing them as grave threat to local and national economy.
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.
EFCC warned that it would be unrelenting in the fight against corruption, just as it is leaving no stone unturned in breaking the ring of the illegal miner across the country.
