Police arraigns two Chinese, others over illegal mining in Benue

By Titus Atondu, Makurdi

Benue Police Command has arraigned four persons including two Chinese nationals suspected to be illegal miners before a Makurdi magistrate court for criminal conspiracy, act of terrorism, as well as defying government directives stopping illegal mining activities in the state.

Prosecuting police officer, Inspector Godwin Ato informed the court that the suspects,Yang Wang Zing, Shi Zing, Debra Ihedora and Yunusa Wada, all of different addresses were arrested by men of Operation Zenda JTF led by John Ahemba, while on patrol at Nyor-duku village, Jato-aka in Kwande Local Government Area to curtail activities of illegal miners in the state.

He further explained that the two suspected Chinese nationals and two Nigerians were arrested on a mining site along Kashimbilla- road, excavating mineral resources thereby defying the orders of the Benue State government which earlier banned all forms of illegal mining in the state.

Inspector Ato also told the court that items recovered from the suspects included a truck load of black stone deposit, adding that during police investigation the suspects confessed committing the crime.

When the case came up for hearing the plea of the suspects for leniency was rejected while prosecution stated that investigation was ongoing and asked for adjournment.

Ruling, the chief magistrate Kelvin Mbanongon ordered that the suspects be remanded at the Federal Correctional Centre Makurdi, and adjourned the case to June 4 for further mention.