April 20, (THEWILL) – The Chinese Government has denied allegation that its citizens, in Nigeria, fund terrorist groups to destabilise the country.
The denial was in response to last week’s report by The Times, that Chinese nationals in the mining sector are financing terrorist groups in some parts of Nigeria, in order to gain access to the country’s mineral resources.
The Times said the Chinese nationals could be indirectly fuelling insecurity and terrorism in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy through illegal transactions, lobbying and bribes.
“Beijing could be indirectly funding terror in Africa’s largest economy. Chinese companies working in parts of Nigeria where attacks are frequent have been striking security deals with insurgents”, The Times reported.
However, China’s embassy in Nigeria, in a statement on its website, said China enjoy cordial bilateral relations with Nigeria and denied that the Government or its nationals in the country is involved in the funding of terrorism or its activities.
The statement said, “Our attention has been drawn to a media report titled, ‘Chinese bribed Nigerian militants for access to vast mineral reserves,’ published by The Times of the UK on April 15, 2023. This report, claiming that “Beijing could be indirectly funding terror” in Nigeria, is based on unverified, unclear and unproven information, to which we have to express our strong dissatisfaction and objection.
“The Chinese government, as well as the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, have always encouraged and urged the Chinese companies and nationals in Nigeria to abide by the laws and regulations of Nigeria, and to implement the local rules and guidance on labor, environment, health and safety, etc, and would continue their efforts in this regard.
“The Chinese government was and would never be involved in any form of funding terrorism. The allegations contained in the report were totally irresponsible and unethical, and the intention of the report is seriously questioned.
“For the past decades, the bilateral cooperation between China and Nigeria has brought tangible benefits to our bilateral ties and the well-being of the two peoples.
“We will continue to work with the Nigerian government to promote development and address security issues. We welcome international partners to join our efforts in good faith, but would reject any intention or action that would smear our cooperation.”
