The Chinese government has denied a report by the British newspaper, The Times, alleging that China may be indirectly funding terrorism in Nigeria to gain access to the country's mineral reserves.
In a recent report, The Times newspaper claimed that “Beijing could be indirectly funding terror in Africa’s largest economy,”.
via bribes and illegal transactions.
The report further alleged that some Chinese citizens who had worked informally in Zamfara as miners serve as runners for some militant groups in the state and other parts of Nigeria's northwest zone.
Responding to the claims, the Chinese embassy in Nigeria in a statement on Monday, queried the intention of the Times report, describing it as "totally irresponsible and unethical."
China maintained that it had and would continue to encourage its citizens residing in Nigeria, to obey the country's laws as well as local rules relating to their activities.
The statement further noted that China would never engage in funding any acts of terrorism in Nigeria, adding that the bilateral ties between the two countries have been beneficial to both.
The statement reads: “The Chinese government, as well as the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, have always encouraged and urged 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 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.”
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