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The operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, have arrested four Chinese nationals for engaging in illegal mining activities in Nasarawa State.
The arrests were made at an illegal mining site in Karu Local Government Area, where lithium is sold.
According to a statement issued by the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, on Saturday, the arrests followed the commissioning of specially trained personnel as Federal Government Mining Marshals.
Afolabi stated that the team has intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal miners sabotaging the nation’s economy.
“Following the commissioning of some specially trained NSCDC personnel as Federal Government Mining Marshals, the team has intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal miners sabotaging the economy of the nation.
“The Mining Marshalls with a renewed vigour swung into action following credible intelligence and uncovered an illegal mining site where lithium is sold at Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
“During the sting operation, the squad arrested four Chinese nationals who through preliminary investigation admitted that they were running an illegal site used for selling lithium,” Afolabi stated.
According to the NSCDC spokesperson, the Mining Marshall Commander, Attah John Onoja, noted that the minerals in question were seized in line with the provisions of Section 146 (b) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, stating that the arrest of the Chinese nationals was due to their refusal to honour invitation for questioning.
Onoja explained that an application would be lodged in court for forfeiture of the impounded lithium minerals while the proceeds would be remitted to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
He stated that preliminary investigations unearthed where the minerals were being disposed of without the required license.
Onoja also said the arrested suspects have confessed to the crime, admitting that they held no certificate or license to deal in the solid minerals.
He said the suspects, who claimed to be operating under HOSAN AGRO-ALLIED COMPANY LTD, a business venture registered for agricultural activities, confessed to the crime and admitted to holding no certificate or license to deal in solid minerals.
