Chinese Embassy Rejects U.S. Claims Linking Mining Firms to Terrorism in Nigeria

The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has dismissed allegations by the United States Congress that Chinese mining companies operating in Nigeria are financing terrorist activities, calling the claims “baseless” and harmful to diplomatic relations.

In a statement released in Abuja, the embassy said it was “deeply dissatisfied” with the accusations and urged stakeholders to avoid spreading what it described as misinformation about Chinese citizens and businesses in the country.

The embassy emphasized that China maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy on illegal mining and requires its overseas companies to comply with local laws. Most Chinese mining firms in Nigeria, it said, operate legally and contribute to economic development through job creation and community projects.

It further noted that Chinese nationals and businesses in Nigeria have themselves been victims of insecurity, rejecting any suggestion of support for armed groups or extremist activities.

The allegations follow claims by U.S. lawmakers that some foreign mining operations in Nigeria may be linked to armed groups in mineral-rich regions. The embassy warned that unverified accusations could undermine long-standing economic and diplomatic ties between China and Nigeria, stressing the importance of factual dialogue and constructive engagement.

This dispute shows growing geopolitical competition between the United States and China in Africa’s mining and infrastructure sectors, with Nigeria’s solid minerals industry increasingly under international scrutiny.