FG arraigns eight Chinese nationals, Nigerian for illegal mining in Abia
The Federal Government has arraigned eight Chinese nationals and one Nigerian for their alleged involvement in unlawful mining activities in Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
The suspects were apprehended by the Mining Marshals, an elite security outfit established under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
This unit, codenamed “Operation Hayakin Kogo,” was initiated by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, as part of his 7-point agenda to cleanse the mining sector of illegal operations.
The trial commenced yesterday before Justice J.K Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The prosecution presented a 3-count charge against the defendants, which included allegations of mining without lawful authority and obstruction of legal 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, have been remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre pending the next hearing date.
The Mining Marshals, led by ACC John Onoja, consist of a 2,570-strong force dedicated to eradicating criminal activities within Nigeria’s mining areas.
Reacting to the development, Dr. Alake restated his commitment to bolstering the operations of the Marshals through the integration of advanced technology and additional resources to ensure that the country benefits fully from its mineral wealth.
