U.S. Lawmakers Accuse Chinese Miners of Funding Islamist Militants in Nigeria

In Washington and Abuja over the past month, a growing controversy has emerged involving allegations by U.S. lawmakers that Chinese nationals engaged in illegal mining exploitation in Nigeria are indirectly sponsoring Islamist militant groups, exacerbating insecurity and sectarian violence in parts of the country.

Accusations by U.S. Congressman Riley Moore and Colleagues
Republican Congressman Riley Moore, along with a group of U.S. lawmakers, has publicly accused Chinese miners and firms operating illegally in Nigeria’s mineral-rich regions of paying “protection money” to local Islamist militant groups funds that, they argue, ultimately help finance violence against civilians, especially in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern states.

Moore reiterated these claims during a televised interview and in a recent report submitted to U.S. President Donald Trump, in which he highlighted illegal Chinese rare earth and solid minerals mining as a significant, but previously underreported, factor fueling insecurity in Nigeria. According to the lawmaker, proceeds from such mining operations are allegedly channeled directly or through protection arrangements to extremist groups that have been linked to attacks on communities, including religious minorities.

Legislative Action: Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act
These assertions are central to a bipartisan bill known as the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, introduced by Moore and four other Republican lawmakers.
Key points of the proposed legislation include:
Calling on the U.S. Secretary of State to work with the Nigerian government to counter what lawmakers describe as “hostile foreign exploitation” of Chinese mining operations suspected of contributing to insecurity.

Potentially classifying certain Nigerian militias as foreign terrorist organizations.

Supporting measures to curb financial flows that may benefit armed groups and strengthening Nigeria’s ability to protect vulnerable communities irrespective of faith.

China’s Denial and Response
The Chinese embassy in Nigeria has strongly rejected the allegations, asserting that the majority of Chinese mining companies operating in the country comply with Nigerian laws and regulations. Beijing’s diplomatic mission described the claims of terrorism financing as “completely unfounded” and requested that media cease spreading what it called false information.

China’s response reflects larger geopolitical sensitivities around foreign investment in Africa’s mineral sector, where Beijing is a major commercial partner in infrastructure, mining, and trade.

Nigeria’s Position and Broader Security Context
While Nigeria has not officially confirmed a direct link between Chinese mining revenue and terrorism financing, the country continues to grapple with numerous armed groups including Learn about Boko Haram on Wikipedia and other militants that have inflicted widespread violence, displacement, and human rights abuses over years.

Nigerian authorities and some civil society voices have emphasized that insecurity has multiple root causes, including poverty, land conflicts, banditry, religion-driven insurgencies, and illicit small arms flows. They caution that focusing on any single external actor may oversimplify complex domestic challenges.

International and Geopolitical Implications
The accusations come amid broader U.S. legislative and policy discussions aimed at countering foreign influence from China and Russia in Africa and protecting religious freedom. Several U.S. lawmakers have also called for deeper security cooperation with Nigeria, including potential sanctions on actors complicit in violence, expanded defence ties, and enhanced intelligence sharing.

However, the situation has also stirred diplomatic tensions, with concerns that such allegations could strain U.S.–China competition in Africa, complicate Nigeria’s neutral foreign policy, and affect investment flows in sectors like mining.

Mustapha Bature Sallama.
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal investigation and Intelligence Analysis.
International Conflict Management and Peace Building.USIP
[email protected]
+233-555-275-880