US Lawmaker Riley Moore Alleges Chinese Illegal Miners Funding D+adly Att@cks in Nigeria’s Middle Belt

U.S. Congressman Riley Moore has alleged that Chinese nationals operating illegal mining sites in Nigeria are funding vi%lent att@cks in the country’s Middle Belt region.

Speaking after submitting a report to the White House, Moore said he and other Republican lawmakers visited Nigeria at the request of former U.S. President Donald Trump to investigate ongoing vi%lence, particularly in the Middle Belt.

According to Moore, findings from the report claim that Chinese operators engaged in illegal rare earth mineral extraction are paying “protection money” to Fulani militants. He alleged that these funds are being used to finance att@cks, including the k+lling of Christians in affected communities.

Moore described the situation as complex, stating that the report has been accepted by Trump and that efforts are underway to coordinate a response involving U.S. and Nigerian authorities, as well as interagency partners.

He further claimed that the mining activities involve rare earth minerals rather than energy resources, alleging the operations are being conducted without proper permits and facilitated through br+bery at the state level.

Moore added that discussions are ongoing between U.S. officials and the Nigerian government on possible security and intelligence cooperation to address the vi%lence.