In late February 2026, a significant allegation made by a United States Congressman has thrust Nigeria’s natural resources and security challenges into the international spotlight. U.S. Representative Riley Moore accused Chinese miners operating in Nigeria of running illegal rare earth extraction operations and reportedly paying protection money to terrorist and militia groups within the country — a development that, if verified, could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s security, foreign relations, and resource governance.
This issue crosses multiple domains — from illicit mining and environmental degradation to terrorism financing and geopolitical rivalry — and demands a detailed examination of the facts, contexts, and implications.
Who Is Rep. Riley Moore and What Did He Allege?
Riley Moore is a Republican congressman from the United States who, in February 2026 during a live interview on Fox News, presented what he described as previously underreported aspects of insecurity in Nigeria.
He argued that much of the international conversation around Nigerian violence has focused on religious conflict and extremist attacks, but that an economic dimension — specifically illegal mining — has not received adequate scrutiny. According to Moore, Chinese operators have been running illegal rare earth mineral extraction sites in Nigeria and the proceeds from these operations are allegedly being channelled to radical Islamist terrorist groups and armed militias as “protection money.”
Moore’s comments were part of a broader submission to U.S. President Donald Trump and reflect growing concern among some Western policymakers about foreign exploitation of African natural resources and its potential links to instability.
What Are Rare Earth Minerals — And Why Do They Matter?
Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 chemical elements critical for high-tech industries. They are used in the manufacture of smartphones, electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, defense systems, and advanced electronics. Their strategic value has made them the subject of intense global competition.
Nigeria, long known for oil and gas, also has significant deposits of various minerals, including rare earth elements like lithium — an increasingly valuable resource as the world shifts toward electrification and clean energy.
However, Nigeria’s mining sector has historically been under-regulated, with porous borders, weak enforcement of mining laws, and limited government oversight creating opportunities for illegal operations. This has attracted not only local artisanal miners but also foreign actors seeking to profit from mineral wealth without adhering to legal or environmental requirements.
Illegal Mining: A Persistent Problem in Nigeria
Illegal mining in Nigeria is not a new phenomenon. Over the past decade, authorities have arrested foreign nationals — including Chinese citizens — for unlawful mining and possession of minerals without proper licences — indicating that the issue predates the recent allegations.
Examples of Past Enforcement
In March 2025, a Federal High Court in Ilorin convicted Chinese nationals Yang Chao and Wu Shan Chuan for illegal mining in Kwara State. They were each sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, although they were also given the option to pay fines instead of serving jail time.
Chinese mining operations — including W. Mining Global Service Limited — were investigated for mining without licences, non-payment of royalties, and operating illegally in multiple locations across Kwara State.
Earlier cases saw another Chinese national, Gang Deng, sentenced to five years in prison for possessing 25 tons of crude mineral suspected to be lepidolite — a rare earth mineral — in 2022.
These examples illustrate a pattern of violations related to Nigeria’s mining regulations. But the novel element in Rep. Moore’s allegation is the claim that such operations are not just breaking mining laws but also contributing to the financing of terrorists and extremist groups through protection payments.
Protection Payments: Context and Claims
The idea of firms paying for “protection” is not unique to Nigeria’s mining sector. Globally, in conflict-affected regions with weak state presence, armed groups and militias often demand payments from businesses — both legal and illegal — in exchange for security or access to resources.
Rep. Moore stated that Chinese mining interests in Nigeria are allegedly sending funds to radical Islamist extremist organizations to secure their operations in volatile areas. This claim aligns with broader concerns that natural resource value chains can inadvertently or intentionally fuel insecurity by redirecting money into the hands of armed factions.
It is important to note that at this stage these claims have not been independently verified by Nigerian authorities and have been met with denials from Chinese representatives, who have dismissed such accusations as “baseless” and “fabricated”.
Nevertheless, similar patterns of resource-linked conflict financing have been documented in other parts of Africa, notably relating to gold and coltan mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where minerals have been known to sustain armed groups.
Why This Matters for Nigeria
The implications of illegal mining and alleged terror financing are far-reaching:
1. National Security
Nigeria has faced decades of security challenges, from insurgency in the northeast to banditry and communal violence in several northwestern states. If illegal mining is indeed funding armed groups, it could sustain and expand cycles of violence that have already cost thousands of lives.
2. Economic Impact
Illegal mining deprives Nigeria of tax revenue, royalties, and formal economic development opportunities. Unlicensed operations mean lost income that could fund schools, hospitals, infrastructure, and community development.
3. Environmental and Social Harm
Unregulated extraction can cause severe environmental degradation, social displacement, and unsafe working conditions. The focus on short-term profits by unscrupulous operators often comes at the cost of long-term environmental sustainability and community well-being.
4. Geopolitical Tensions
Moore’s comments come amid intensifying U.S. concerns over China’s global economic footprint. The United States is actively seeking mineral sources outside of Chinese dominance, especially rare earths critical for technological and defense sectors. Accusations of illegal mining and terrorism financing increase geopolitical friction and could influence how Western nations engage with Nigeria on resource governance and security cooperation.
Calls for Legal and Policy Action
The controversy has not only generated headlines but also legislative attention. In February 2026, U.S. lawmakers introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, which among other things, seeks collaboration between the U.S. government and Nigeria to address illegal mining and militia violence. The proposed bill aims to provide technical and counter-terrorism support while promoting peace and religious freedoms.
Conclusion: What Comes Next?
The allegation that Chinese illegal mining operations in Nigeria are financing terrorist groups by paying protection money is a serious claim with deep implications for security, governance, and international relations. At the heart of this controversy are questions about:
Nigeria’s ability to enforce mining regulations and collect due revenues;
The true nature of foreign investment and operations in the mining sector;
The connection between natural resources and ongoing insecurity;
How global competitors like the U.S. and China influence Africa’s strategic minerals landscape.
These issues underscore the urgent need for transparent investigations and strengthened regulatory frameworks that protect both Nigeria’s resource wealth and the safety of its citizens.
Whether or not Rep. Moore’s claims are fully substantiated in time, the spotlight on Nigeria’s illegal mining operations highlights critical vulnerabilities and opportunities for reform — not just in mineral governance but in addressing root causes of insecurity and post-conflict development.
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