The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally arraigned eight Chinese nationals and one Nigerian for their involvement in illegal mining activities in the Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, within the Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, on Friday, said the suspects were apprehended by the Mining Marshals, an elite security outfit derived from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The marshals, under the operation, codenamed “Operation Hayakin Kogo”, were established by the minister as part of his 7-point agenda to clean up the mining sector.
“The establishment of the mining marshals is a crucial step in our agenda to sanitize the mining environment and ensure that Nigeria benefits fully from its mineral resources,” Alake was quoted as saying in a statement by his spokesman, Segun Tomori.
According to him, the trial of the suspects began yesterday before Justice J.K Omotosho at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The defendants are Shen Yongchan, Mo Baixian, Xiao Bin, Huang Xu Fa, Ma Bingli, Yang Jian, Li Peiyin, Que Wenyong, Hiyk Edward Desmond, and Wanda Company Limited.
After hearing pleas and arguments from both sides, the defendants were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until the next court date.
“The ministry is committed to strengthening the operations of the mining marshals through the infusion of technology and more equipment to ultimately ensure that the nation reaps maximum benefits from its God-given mineral resources,” Alake said.
