The Federal Government has arraigned 8 Chinese nationals and 1 Nigerian for illegal mining activities in the Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
The suspects were apprehended by the Mining Marshals, an elite security unit within the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) dedicated to eradicating illegal operations in the mining sector.
Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, revealed this development in a statement on Friday.
He explained that the Mining Marshals, under the operation code-named “Operation Hayakin Kogo,” were established by Minister Dele Alake as part of his 7-point agenda to sanitize the mining environment.
The suspects, 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, are facing a 3-count charge before Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The charges include mining without lawful authority and obstruction of lawful mining operations.
During the hearing, the court remanded the defendants at Kuje Correctional Centre until the next trial date. The Mining Marshals, led by ACC John Onoja, consist of a 2,570-strong force dedicated to combating illegal mining activities nationwide.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, emphasized his commitment to enhancing the capabilities of the Mining Marshals through technological advancements and additional equipment.
This initiative aims to ensure that Nigeria benefits fully from its mineral resources.
“The trial of these suspects marks a pivotal step in our efforts to clean up the mining sector and ensure that the nation reaps the maximum benefits from its God-given mineral resources,” the statement partly read.
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