The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has strongly denied allegations that the Chinese Government has been funding militants to gain access to Nigerian mining sites, stating that it will never be involved in any form of terrorism financing. In a statement released on Monday, the Embassy described a report by The Times of the United Kingdom, which insinuated terrorism financing in Nigeria by China, as “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. However, the Chinese Embassy rebutted the report, stating that it was based on unverified, unclear, and unproven information, and expressed “strong dissatisfaction and objection” to the allegations.
“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 statement added.
The Embassy further emphasized that the Chinese government has never been involved in any form of funding terrorism and deemed the allegations in the report as “totally irresponsible and unethical”, questioning the intention behind the report.
The statement also highlighted the positive bilateral cooperation between China and Nigeria in the past decades, which has brought tangible benefits to both countries and peoples, and expressed China’s commitment to continue working with the Nigerian government to promote development and address security issues. China also welcomed international partners to join their efforts in good faith but rejected any intention or action that would smear their cooperation.
The allegations of terrorism financing by China in Nigeria have raised concerns, as Nigeria has been grappling with security challenges posed by militants and terrorist groups in recent years. The Chinese Embassy’s denial of the allegations and its assertion of continued commitment to abide by Nigerian laws and regulations may help to defuse the tensions caused by the report. The Nigerian government has not yet commented on the issue.
