• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

      PRNigeria logo fearured image

      EFCC Arraigns Ex-Convict, Other for Naira Abuse in Lagos

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Customs Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit Breach

      Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Customs Boss

      How Customs is Tightening Borders to Stop Illicit Cash Flows –…

      Customs boss, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi with NAFDAC DG Professor Moji Adeyeye

      Codeine, Tramadol Worth ₦20.5bn Seized as Customs-NAFDAC Cooperation Deepens

      Acting Controller General of Customs, Nigerian Customs Services, NSC, Ag. CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

      Adeniyi Inaugurates Lagos School Renovated by Nigeria Customs 

      Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada

      Customs’ Maiwada Named Among Nigeria’s 50 Most Influential PR Voices

  • National
    • Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover Firearms

      court Judiciary

      Court Remands TikToker Arrested by DSS for claiming President Tinubu died

      Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Customs Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit Breach

      Dr. Ibrahim Bello Emir of Gusau

      His Death is a National Loss – Tinubu Mourns Emir of…

      Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Customs Boss

      How Customs is Tightening Borders to Stop Illicit Cash Flows –…

    • Government
      • court Judiciary

        Court Remands TikToker Arrested by DSS for claiming President Tinubu died

        Leon Usigbe

        Tinubu Mourns Veteran State House Correspondent, Leon Usigbe

        Dr. Ibrahim Bello, Emir of Gusau

        Tinubu, NUJ, Police, and Military Mourn the Death of Gusau Emir

        Dr. Ibrahim Bello Emir of Gusau

        His Death is a National Loss – Tinubu Mourns Emir of…

        Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)

        LPPC Elevates Nasarawa SSG, Osun AG, S/Court Judge’s Son, Ayodeji, 53…

  • Security
    • Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover Firearms

      Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA

      Troops Kill Three Terrorist Leaders in Sokoto Ambush, Recover Weapons

      Nigerian Navy Personnel

      Navy Arrests 9 Impostors Operating as Fake Coast Guards in Akwa…

      Lt. Col (Mrs) Onyechi Appolonia Anele, FSS, anipr

      Army Dismisses Allegations of Delayed Promotions, Stagnant Allowances

      Police Arrest 22 Cultists in Ogun

  • Features
    • Leon Usigbe

      Death, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem 

      Tinubu’s Plateau Gambit – Yilwatda, 2027, and the Return of the…

      Ozumi and a recipient of a wheelchair

      Wheels of Hope: How a Simple Gift is Reshaping Lives at…

      Late Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari and Mansur Liman

      “Buhari: A Blunt, Honest Leader Who Laughed at His Own Predicament”

      Intelligence Synergy: Reshaping Nigeria’s Security Architecture, By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi

  • State
    • Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover Firearms

      Nigerian Navy Personnel

      Navy Arrests 9 Impostors Operating as Fake Coast Guards in Akwa…

      Lt. Col (Mrs) Onyechi Appolonia Anele, FSS, anipr

      Army Dismisses Allegations of Delayed Promotions, Stagnant Allowances

      Police Officer

      Enugu Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Nab 25 Militants, Recover Firearms

      Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Kingpin ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto Operation

  • Event
    • Cross section of participants and guests at the Kaduna State Chapter world PR day

      Kaduna NIPR Urges Students to Embrace Evolving PR Landscape

      Engr. Saleeman Adedoyin Saleeman

      Global IT Leader Saleeman Adedoyin Launches Free Summer School in Ilorin…

      Celestine Achi, AI in PR specialist

      BOOK REVIEW: AI is Reshaping PR—Celestine Achi Shows Us How

      Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’ Dies Weeks After PRNigeria Debunked Viral Recovery…

      Young Muhammadu Buhari jnr

      A Young Buhari’s Poetic Tribute to a Leader By Yushau A….

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home General Chinese Businessman Accused of Illegal Mining and Banditry Ties in Zamfara
  • General

Chinese Businessman Accused of Illegal Mining and Banditry Ties in Zamfara

By
Prnigeria
-
April 19, 2025
Zamfara State Map

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.

Read Also:

  • Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover Firearms
  • Troops Kill Three Terrorist Leaders in Sokoto Ambush, Recover Weapons
  • Navy Arrests 9 Impostors Operating as Fake Coast Guards in Akwa Ibom

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

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Banditry
  • Chinese Businessman
  • Illegal Mining
  • zamfara
Previous articleTroops Eliminate Bandit Kingpin in Zamfara as Attacks, Rival Clashes Rock Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina
Next articleMeet Salihu ‘Blootooth’: Empowering Youth and Shaping Nigeria’s GSM Landscape
Prnigeria
Prnigeria

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Nigerian Navy Personnel

Navy Arrests 9 Impostors Operating as Fake Coast Guards in Akwa Ibom

Lt. Col (Mrs) Onyechi Appolonia Anele, FSS, anipr

Army Dismisses Allegations of Delayed Promotions, Stagnant Allowances

court Judiciary

Court Remands TikToker Arrested by DSS for claiming President Tinubu died

Police Officer

Enugu Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Nab 25 Militants, Recover Firearms

Troops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Kingpin ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto Operation

Dr. Ibrahim Bello, Emir of Gusau

Tinubu, NUJ, Police, and Military Mourn the Death of Gusau Emir

Police Officer

Anambra Police Arrest Suspected Child Trafficker, Rescue 11 Abducted Children

Military Troops in Action

Troops Rescue 3 Kidnapped Victims in Benue–Taraba Border

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)

LPPC Elevates Nasarawa SSG, Osun AG, S/Court Judge’s Son, Ayodeji, 53 others to SANs

Army Recovers Weapons, Rescues Teenager in Plateau

EFCC Probes UK-Bound Female Passenger Over Undeclared Foreign Currencies at Lagos Airport

In Kano, NAFDAC Shuts Down Warehouse Stocked with Explosive Chemicals

Recent Posts

  • Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover Firearms
  • Troops Kill Three Terrorist Leaders in Sokoto Ambush, Recover Weapons
  • Navy Arrests 9 Impostors Operating as Fake Coast Guards in Akwa Ibom
  • Army Dismisses Allegations of Delayed Promotions, Stagnant Allowances
  • Court Remands TikToker Arrested by DSS for claiming President Tinubu died
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover FirearmsTroops Kill Three Terrorist Leaders in Sokoto Ambush, Recover WeaponsNavy Arrests 9 Impostors Operating as Fake Coast Guards in Akwa IbomArmy Dismisses Allegations of Delayed Promotions, Stagnant AllowancesCourt Remands TikToker Arrested by DSS for claiming President Tinubu diedDeath, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem Tinubu Mourns Veteran State House Correspondent, Leon UsigbePolice Arrest 22 Cultists in OgunEnugu Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Nab 25 Militants, Recover FirearmsTroops Eliminate Notorious Bandit Kingpin ‘Dan Dari Biyar’ in Sokoto OperationTinubu, NUJ, Police, and Military Mourn the Death of Gusau EmirCustoms Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit BreachCOAS Endorses NDC’s Research on Advanced Military TechnologiesAnambra Police Arrest Suspected Child Trafficker, Rescue 11 Abducted ChildrenHis Death is a National Loss - Tinubu Mourns Emir of Gusau
X whatsapp