In Nasarawa State, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has detained four Chinese nationals for partaking in unlawful mining operations.
These arrests took place at an unlawful mining location in Karu Local Government Area, where lithium is illicitly traded.
In a statement released by NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, on Saturday, it was disclosed that the arrests occurred subsequent to the deployment of specially trained personnel as Federal Government Mining Marshals.
Afolabi indicated that the team has heightened its efforts to crack down on illegal miners who are disrupting the nation’s economy.
“The Mining Marshals, with increased determination, sprang into action based on credible intelligence and unearthed an unlawful mining spot where lithium is transacted in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State,” Afolabi mentioned.
“In the course of the operation, the squad apprehended four Chinese nationals who, upon preliminary inquiry, confessed to running an illegal establishment involved in lithium trading,” Afolabi added.
As per the NSCDC spokesperson, the Mining Marshall Commander, Attah John Onoja, pointed out that the confiscated minerals fell under the purview of Section 146 (b) of the Minerals and Mining Act of 2007. He mentioned that the Chinese nationals’ apprehension stemmed from their refusal to comply with an invitation for interrogation.
Onoja elaborated that a petition will be filed in court for the relinquishment of the impounded lithium minerals, with the proceeds slated for remittance to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He stated that preliminary investigations unveiled instances of the illicit disposal of the minerals lacking the requisite licensing.
Onoja further stated that the apprehended suspects have owned up to the offense, acknowledging that they lacked the certification or authorization to engage in solid mineral trade.
They asserted that they were operating under HOSAN AGRO-ALLIED COMPANY LTD, supposedly a business entity registered for agricultural purposes, but confessed to their actions and having no authorization for solid mineral transactions.