APA – Lagos (Nigeria) China has denied funding militants to access Nigerian mining sites, noting strongly that it will never be involved in any form of terrorism financing.
The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria said in a statement in Abuja that the report by The Times of the United Kingdom insinuating terrorism financing in Africa’s most populous nation by the government in Beijing was totally irresponsible.
The report dated April 15, 2023 and titled, ‘Chinese ‘bribed Nigerian militants for access to vast mineral reserves’ claimed that “Beijing could be indirectly funding terror” in Nigeria.
The Chinese Embassy said, however, that the report was “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 labour, environment, health and safety, etc, and would continue their efforts in this regard,” the statement added.
GIK/APA