Chinese Businessman Accused of Illegal Mining and Banditry Ties in Zamfara

Chinese Businessman Accused of Illegal Mining and Banditry Ties in Zamfara

A disturbing exposé has revealed the alleged long-standing involvement of a Chinese national, Mr Tang, in illegal mining operations, environmental degradation, and armed banditry in Zamfara State—activities that span more than two decades and implicate several political figures and institutions.

According to a detailed report sent to PRNigeria by a group identified as Concerned Citizens of Zamfara, Mr Tang arrived in the state in 1999, posing as a mineral researcher assisting with geological surveys. Over time, however, he reportedly transitioned from technical support to illegal mining, exploiting weak regulations and forging close ties with state officials.

Between 2007 and 2011, under the administration of former Governor Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, Mr Tang allegedly secured a $2 million contract through a firm known as Shenzhen Investment Group Co. Ltd., a joint venture with the Zamfara State Government. Despite the funding, the report claims no mining equipment was delivered, and the company became a front for large-scale illegal mining.

Perhaps the most severe fallout from these activities was the 2010 lead poisoning outbreak in the Anka and Bagega communities, which claimed the lives of over 400 children and caused widespread health problems. International health agencies traced the disaster to unsafe mining practices, yet Mr Tang faced no legal consequences.

Key figures such as Mukhtar Lugga—then Commissioner for Environment and now Chief of Staff to Governor Dauda Lawal—are named as collaborators. Lugga was reportedly indicted by a Project Verification Committee under former Governor Bello Matawalle for enabling Mr Tang’s operations.

The report further links Mr Tang’s illegal mining to the rise of armed banditry in Zamfara. Local sources allege that early bandit groups received financial backing from Mr Tang in exchange for protection of mining sites, which contributed to the proliferation of arms and the escalation of rural violence.

Despite his controversial past, Mr Tang has reportedly returned to Zamfara under the current administration. The report claims that Lugga and Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Nakwada, facilitated his comeback during a trip to China ahead of Governor Lawal’s visit. Mining operations allegedly resumed at previously shut sites, despite lacking federal approval or new environmental assessments.

The group warns that renewed illegal activity may trigger another environmental disaster. “The people of Zamfara deserve justice, transparency, and a future free from the grip of foreign profiteers and their local collaborators,” the report states.

In response to renewed concerns, the Federal Government recently ordered all illegal miners to vacate Zamfara. However, activists are calling for a deeper investigation and prosecution of all those involved in facilitating Mr Tang’s activities.

The statement has been forwarded to the Minister of Environment, the National Security Adviser, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for urgent action.

As the controversy unfolds, pressure mounts on Governor Lawal to revisit Mr Tang’s checkered history and take decisive steps to protect the environment, uphold the law, and restore public trust.

In the face of this disclosure, PRNigeria gathered that the Zamfara State Government has entered into significant partnerships with Chinese companies led Mr Tang aimed at enhancing security, modernizing agriculture, and improving infrastructure.

A statement by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said the agreements were the outcome of Governor Dauda Lawal’s recent business visit to China, where he engaged with executives from prominent firms specializing in surveillance technology, agriculture, and transportation.

Following the visit, a delegation of Chinese investors led by Mr. Tang Zhangwei arrived in Zamfara to advance the implementation of the agreements. As part of the security collaboration, the state will partner with drone manufacturer Phoenix Wings to deploy advanced surveillance systems to combat banditry and kidnappings.

In the agricultural sector, Zhong Zhao International Group will provide training to local farmers in organic farming techniques and assist in establishing fertilizer plants to boost productivity. Meanwhile, Xiamen-based firms have expressed their commitment to improving the state’s transportation infrastructure through the development of transit hubs and the introduction of mass transit systems.

Additionally, smart farming will be promoted through the involvement of WEICAI LOVOL, which will supply high-tech tractors and farm management systems to support mechanized agriculture.

Governor Lawal described the partnerships as a bold step toward achieving sustainable economic growth and long-term security for the people of Zamfara State.

By PRNigeria