13 Chinese nationals have been detained by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) agents in Kwara State for offenses related to unlawful mining activities.
The Miscellaneous Offenses Act CAP M17, 1983’s Section 1(8)(b) applies to this offense, which is illegal and punishable by a fine.
One female and twelve male suspects were detained on Wednesday in the Government Reserved Area in Ilorin, the state capital, as a result of reliable information about their unlawful mining operations and failure to pay appropriate royalties to the federal government.
Before their arrest, inquiry revealed that the operators have various illegal mining sites in nearly all of the state’s 16 local government areas, according to Michael Nzekwe, the EFCC’s zonal head for Ilorin.
The accused were detained at a residence close to the EFCC office for illegally producing marbles as well.
The anti-graft agency official stated that efforts are being made to apprehend the accused’ Nigerian associates.
Upon the conclusion of the inquiry, he stated, the suspects would be presented in court for arraignment.