The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested four Chinese nationals and 27 Nigerians in connection with illegal mining activities in Jos. The commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Tuesday, March 11, in Abuja.
The suspects were apprehended on Saturday at Jiasheng Nigeria Limited, located at Dura Rayfield, Mangu Road, Jos, following credible intelligence that linked the company to illegal mining in the area. Among those arrested were suppliers found with unprocessed solid minerals, suspected to have been illegally mined.
During the operation, EFCC operatives seized a truck containing eight bags of processed monazite, each weighing 1,000kg and valued at N4 million. The EFCC has stated that investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be prosecuted once the investigation is complete.