Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 31 suspected illegal miners, including four Chinese nationals, in Jos, Plateau State. The suspects were apprehended on Saturday, March 8, 2025, during a raid at the premises of Jiasheng Nigeria Limited.
The EFCC acted on credible intelligence linking the company to illegal mining activities in the state. The arrested individuals include Chinese nationals Liang Qinyong, Wang Huajie, Zhong Jiajing, and Long Kechong, as well as 27 Nigerians.
During the operation, the EFCC recovered a truck loaded with eight bags of processed monazite, valued at approximately N4 million per bag. The anti-graft agency stated that the arrested individuals were found in possession of unprocessed solid minerals, suspected to have been illegally mined.
The EFCC emphasized its commitment to tackling illegal mining and economic sabotage, vowing to ensure that those involved face justice. All the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Illegal mining has remained a significant concern in Nigeria, particularly in mineral-rich states like Plateau, Zamfara, and Osun. The EFCC urged stakeholders in the mining sector to comply with regulatory guidelines, warning that it would intensify its crackdown on illegal mining operations across the country.
