EFCC Declares Chinese Man Wanted Over Illegal Mining In Kaduna
Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has declared a Chinese national, Ji Zhou, wanted for alleged involvement in illegal mining activities in Kaduna State.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday and signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC said Zhou is being sought in connection with ongoing investigations into illicit mining operations in violation of Nigeria’s mineral resources laws.
“Ji Zhou, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of illegal mining,” the agency stated.
Zhou, 36, is said to reside in Uguwan Mai Keke, Kafanchan, in Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where illegal mining has persisted despite several government crackdowns.
The Commission has urged members of the public to provide useful information about the suspect’s whereabouts by contacting any of its zonal offices nationwide, calling 08093322644, or emailing info@efcc.gov.ng.
This development adds to a growing list of foreign nationals, especially Chinese citizens, implicated in illegal mining across Nigeria. Investigations and arrests by the EFCC and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in recent years have exposed a pattern of foreign involvement in the illegal exploitation of Nigeria’s solid minerals, often with the complicity of local collaborators and government insiders.
Two weeks ago, EFCC operatives from the Kaduna Zonal Directorate arrested nine suspected illegal miners in Kaniyan Village, Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.
The suspects included five Chinese nationals — Wu Ping, Xu XianLiang, Xu Aimin, Xeu Cihuo, and Liu Changhua — and four Nigerians — Ibrahim Abdullahi, Sunday Oladele, Destiny John, and Bulus Samuel.
Recovered items included several industrial mining and power equipment, power generating sets of various brands, industrial crushing machines, dumper trucks, pay loaders, water pumps, a gold-melting machine, a Tacoma truck, a Lexus 470 SUV, large diesel tanks, explosives, and blasting caps, among others.
The EFCC said the suspects remain in custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
