Mining Marshals Arrest 3 Chinese Nationals, 2 Nigerians for Illegal Mining in Nigeria, by Ezinwanne Onwuka

Three Chinese nationals and two Nigerian accomplices were arrested over the weekend for illegal mining activities in Nasarawa state, Nigeria, according to a statement by Segun Tomori, media aide to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake.

“The suspects were arrested for mining without lawful authorization. Some of the minerals being mined include fluorite, zinc, lead, and tin,” said Tomori. The arrests took place at Rafin-Gabas, Agwada, in the Kokona County (Local Government Area), following a tip-off to Nigeria’s mining marshals.

Tomori added, “The arrested suspects confessed to having been on illicit activities at the site spanning five cadastral units since December 15, 2021.” He noted the suspects disregarded warnings to regularize their operations, resulting in “significant revenue losses to the federal government.”

The ministry said the crackdown on illegal mining operations is part of ongoing efforts to address the estimated $9 billion annual losses caused by such activities. Alake disclosed that more than 200 illegal miners have been arrested nationwide, with about 140 currently undergoing prosecution.

• Biden Backs Nigeria’s Bid for UN Security Council Seat in Call with Tinubu

President Joe Biden has expressed his support for Nigeria’s aspiration to secure a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, according to Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs.

Tuggar said the endorsement came during a 30-minute phone call between Biden and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday. The conversation followed the October 23 release of Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s head of finance crime compliance, from Nigerian custody. Gambaryan had been detained for eight months over money laundering charges before the Nigerian government withdrew the case.

“The two leaders also discussed the issue of permanent seats at the United Nations Security Council, and President Biden once again assured that the United States is committed to seeing Africa having two permanent seats,” Tuggar said.

Tuggar added, “He also reiterated that he does not see any reason why one of those seats should not belong to Nigeria, given its position in Africa, its stature, and its importance.”

The two leaders further discussed collaboration on law enforcement, intelligence sharing, and technological support, Tuggar said, noting Tinubu highlighted the shared democratic values between both nations.

Biden thanked Tinubu for Nigeria’s partnership and Gambaryan’s release, with both presidents reaffirming their commitment to deeper cooperation between their countries.

• Nigeria, UAE Discuss Enhanced Trade Relations in Solid Minerals Sector

Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has called for stronger trade relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), focusing on the solid minerals sector.

During a meeting with UAE Ambassador Salem Shaeed Al Shamsi in Abuja, Alake stressed the need to curb illegal gold trade, noting that much of Nigeria’s gold ends up unlawfully in the UAE.

“We propose working together to develop strategies to curb illegal gold trade and establish a regulatory framework that legitimizes this trade, allowing both countries to maximise their benefits,” Alake said. He also highlighted opportunities for technology transfer to enhance Nigeria’s mining industry.

Ambassador Al Shamsi affirmed the UAE’s commitment to deepening ties with Nigeria, referencing the recent lifting of visa restrictions and a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UAE firms and Nigeria’s Solid Minerals Development Fund. “The lifting of visa application restrictions and the launch of a new visa application website demonstrate my country’s dedication to advancing bilateral relations,” he said.

Al Shamsi also announced an upcoming Nigeria–UAE economic forum, featuring 30 to 35 major companies from the Middle East, aimed at boosting foreign direct investment. Both nations agreed to set up a technical committee to address illegal mineral trade and explore further collaboration.

• Bandits Seize Control of Military Camp, Forcing Residents to Flee

The Niger State House of Assembly has raised concerns over the takeover of the Nagwamase military cantonment in Kontagora by armed bandits.

The camp, one of Nigeria’s largest military training sites, previously served for artillery corps training but is now reportedly occupied by bandits who have set up at least eight camps in the area, spanning parts of Kontagora and Mariga counties (local government areas).

Abdullahi Isah, a lawmaker representing Kontagora II State Constituency, said the bandits had displaced residents from over 23 communities and turned the area into a hub for criminal activities.

“The presence of the bandits on this training camp, which now serves as their haven, has posed a serious security challenge to communities,” Isah told the assembly, adding that some abducted residents remain in captivity.

The legislators urged the state government to work with the military to expel the bandits and restore peace for displaced residents to return.

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Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.