Four Chinese Nationals Arrested Over Suspected Unauthorized Mining in Lapai

Four Chinese nationals have been arrested following an inspection of a mining site in Maiya’aki Village, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, over suspected unauthorized mining activities.

The Niger State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Hon. Alhaji Muhammad Qasim Danjuma, ordered the arrests during an on-the-spot assessment of the site after reports emerged of alleged mining operations involving Chinese nationals.

The development followed information brought to the attention of the Emir of Lapai, Alhaji Umar Bago Tafida III, concerning the activities at the site.

The Emir subsequently directed the District Head of Abugi, Alhaji Mohammed Mustapha (Chiroma Lapa), and his entourage to visit the area on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, to ascertain the identities of the individuals operating at the site and determine the authority under which the mining activities were being carried out.

During the preliminary visit, the officials reportedly found that the mining activities were not known to the Niger State Government. The matter was thereafter brought to the attention of the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, who proceeded to the site for further assessment.

At the site, Commissioner Danjuma questioned the Chinese nationals about their authorization to conduct mining activities and requested documents establishing the licences or permits under which they were operating.

According to the information available, the individuals were unable to provide satisfactory and verifiable documentation or clearly explain the source of their authorization.

The Commissioner subsequently ordered the arrest of four of the Chinese nationals and directed that the remaining individuals stay at the site while their properties and mining equipment were secured.

The four arrested individuals were later handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation and appropriate action.

The investigation is expected to establish the ownership of the site, the status of any mining licences or permits, and whether the activities complied with applicable mining regulations.