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The Federal Government on Monday arrested eight Chinese nationals in Plateau State for alleged illegal mining.
The National Security Adviser, NSA, Ali Monguno, ordered the arrest of the miners on Monday at Kampani Zurak village in Bashar chiefdom of Wase Local Government Area of the state.
Also arrested were 12 other Nigerians allegedly involved in illegal mining activities in the area.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Kayode Fayemi, who was in the company of the NSA to the mining site accused security operatives of aiding and abetting illegal mining activities in the state.
Fayemi made the accusation while addressing security operatives at the mining site.
“It is sad that security operatives are giving them (illegal miners) security cover. If not, why do people guard this site?” the minister said.
Fayemi declared that the foreigners and their accomplices would be taken to Abuja for proper investigations and prosecution.
The minister also declared the alleged chief miner, Abdullahi Usman, popularly known as “Dan China”, wanted.
He said the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, had directed that illegal mine sites in the area be sealed up and the miners arrested.
The 20 illegal miners have been taken into the custody of the police in Jos.