A United States Congressman, Riley M Moore, has alleged that some Chinese nationals engaged in illegal mining activities in Nigeria are funding terrorism in the country.
The lawmaker made the claim during an interview with Fox News on Friday, stating that the miners allegedly pay protection fees to Islamic extremists, funds he says are later channelled into terrorist activities.
He said, “Earlier this week, I delivered my report to President Trump detailing the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
“One key point that has been missing from much of the coverage is that the Chinese are running illegal rare earth mineral mining operations in Nigeria.
“They are paying protection money to radical Islamic terrorists who use that money to finance their operations to persecute and kill our brothers and sisters in Christ”.
The congressman, who recently visited the country on a fact-finding mission over alleged genocide against Christians, said he has submitted his findings to Donald Trump.
Trump, who previously designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concerns (CPC), is currently reviewing the report.