Four Chinese men were arrested in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, on suspicion of illegal mining activities. The arrests took place on Saturday, April 27th, during an operation led by a special unit within the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) known as the “Federal Government Mining Marshalls.”
Acting on a tip, the Marshalls targeted a suspected illegal mining site in Karu Local Government Area. The site allegedly dealt in the extraction and sale of lithium, a valuable mineral used in batteries.
“Following the commissioning of some specially trained NSCDC personnel as Federal Government Mining Marshals, the team has intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal miners sabotaging the economy of the nation,” said NSCDC Public Relations Officer Babawale Afolabi in a statement.
The sting operation led to the apprehension of the four Chinese nationals. Early investigations indicate the site lacked proper authorization for lithium extraction and appeared solely focused on selling the mined resource.
During questioning, Mr. Afolabi added, the suspects admitted to running an unauthorized operation for selling lithium. The four individuals are currently in custody. The investigation’s progress and any potential charges they may face remain undisclosed.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
