Collaboration between politically connected Nigerians and Chinese corporations in illegal gold mining drives rural banditry and violent local conflicts in some parts of Nigeria.
The government's ban of artisanal gold mining in Zamfara State and across the region, and the deployment of soldiers to enforce the ban since April 2019, have yielded few results.
In April, four soldiers were killed by robbers in Zamfara State, and police arrested two Chinese nationals for illegal mining.
Even when the governors of Katsina, Niger and Zamfara states led negotiations with the sponsors of illegal mining, this was under conditions determined by the sponsors - showing the level of political connectedness and state protection they enjoy.
Those who sponsor illegal mining also fund banditry and cattle rustling in these communities
Some political 'godfathers' put pressure on the government to free Chinese nationals arrested for illegal mining in Zamfara State.
