No fewer than eight Chinese nationals have been arrested by the Mining Marshals, an elite security outfit crafted from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for alleged illegal mining activities in Lokpaukwu community, Umuchieze, in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
The Marshals who are tasked with ridding the mining sector of illegal operators also arrested and arainged a Nigerian in the same location and together with the Chinese Nationals are being detained in the Kuje Correctional Center, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Mining Marshals, codenamed: “Operation Hayakin Kogo,” is the brainchild of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake.
Information reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper said that the trial of the suspects began yesterday, July 11, before Justice J.K Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The prosecution had filed a 3-count charge, bordering on mining without lawful authority, obstruction of lawful mining operations amongst others.
The defendants include 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 the pleas and arguments from both sides, the defendants were remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until the adjourned date for the continuation of the trial.
The Mining Marshals, led by ACC John Onoja, comprise a 2,570-strong force dedicated to eliminating the nefarious activities of criminal syndicates in mining areas across the country.
