Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, revealed this on Friday in Abuja while responding to questions from journalists over allegations by some United States lawmakers linking illegal Chinese mining activities in Nigeria to the funding of terrorism and violent crimes.
The Nigerian Government has disclosed that more than 327 persons, including foreign nationals allegedly linked to illegal mining and terrorism financing, have been arrested across Nigeria as authorities intensify crackdowns on criminal networks operating in the country’s solid minerals sector.
Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, revealed this on Friday in Abuja while responding to questions from journalists over allegations by some United States lawmakers linking illegal Chinese mining activities in Nigeria to the funding of terrorism and violent crimes.
Alake, according to Channels TV, said several of the foreign nationals apprehended during operations had already been handed over to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for further investigation over suspected security-related offences.
Though he did not disclose the exact number of foreigners transferred to the NSA’s office or their nationalities, the minister said the arrests formed part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to dismantle illegal mining syndicates and restore order to the sector.
