Police arrest two Chinese for 'illegal' mining in Zamfara

The suspects identified as Wang and Chu were apprehended on Sunday by a team led by Commission of Police (CP) Usman Nagogo at Nasarawa Burkullu village in Kwali, Bukkuyum Local Government Area (LGA).

It was gathered that their arrests followed a tip-off received by the police on April 19 that some persons including foreigners were engaged in illegal mining despite federal government's ban on all mining activities.

According to the spokesman for the command, Mohammed Shehu, the police chief led a special taskforce to the area on April 20 to ascertain the veracity of the information.

"The information proved to be credible one as hundred of miners scattered as soon as they saw the team. Two labourers were however arrested who confirmed the presence of Chinese and Bulkinabe nationals among others.

"On April 25, information had it that Chinese and Bulkinabe nationals are taking shelter somewhere in Nasarawa Burkullu. On April 26, the Commissioner of Police led another team to the same village where two Chinese nationals were seen with all the chemicals necessary for making gold.

"The two Chinese nationals Mr WANG and Mr. CHUN are being interrogated to get more information that could help the course of investigation,ÔÇØ he said.