Chinese mining firms operating in northern Nigeria have been striking deals with militant groups in the country in order to secure access to the region’s vast mineral reserves, raising concerns about indirect funding of terrorism in Africa’s most populated country.
The companies, which operate in areas of the country where attacks on Chinese citizens are frequent, are believed to have been making payments to militants in return for security.
Kidnappings and attacks on Chinese nationals have become commonplace in Nigeria in recent years, with dozens of people known to have been abducted or killed.
China is Nigeria’s top trading partner, with over 1,000 companies registered in the country.
It has invested heavily in the region’s infrastructure projects over the past decade, surpassing the United States as Africa’s largest investor.
Research from Lagos-based analytical group SBM Intelligence has revealed that militant leaders in Nigeria are now demanding rent from Chinese workers who wish to operate in their areas.
The group has taken control of large swathes of northwest Nigeria, turning the region into the country’s deadliest conflict zone.
Sources on the ground have confirmed that the Chinese firms are willing to pay off whoever needs to be paid off in order to operate in the region, including militant groups.
SBM Intelligence say some Chinese miners have even used militants as runners in the areas where they operate.
These miners often live in remote areas for years at a time and speak the local language, allowing them to operate informally in small groups as contractors.
They have been accused of smuggling minerals out of the country illegally and paying pitiful wages.
Chinese engineers and staff working on hydroelectric dams in Nigeria have described the “hell on earth” of being kidnapped, as locals believe they carry large amounts of cash.
Reports of Chinese companies funding militant groups in Nigeria have raised concerns among experts, with some calling on the British government to help regulate Chinese companies operating in the sector.
Large Chinese state-backed firms have also reportedly turned to Blackwater founder Erik Prince for help with private security in the region.
Prince’s private security company, Frontier Resources Group, specialises in helping Chinese companies work in Africa and has a branch in Nigeria.
Despite the risks, it appears that Nigeria is set to continue choosing Chinese investment over that of the West.
The Nigerian Vice-President has publicly praised Beijing’s support, and the incoming President has already met with the Chinese Ambassador.
However, analysts predict that kidnappings of Chinese nationals in Nigeria may continue to rise as militant groups demand more money or position themselves ahead of a change in the country’s government.
