US lawmakers link Chinese illegal mining to terrorism funding in Nigeria

Five Republican lawmakers in the United States have alleged that Chinese nationals engaged in illegal mining operations in Nigeria are paying terrorists for protection, as part of arguments advanced in a new bill before Congress.

The lawmakers, Riley Moore of West Virginia, Chris Smith of New Jersey, Bill Huizenga of Michigan, Brian Mast of Florida and Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, made the claims in the proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026.

According to a statement published on Mr Smith’s official website, the bill is expected to move quickly through the House and gain broad support. Mr Smith, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, said the legislation would require the US Secretary of State to compile and submit to Congress a comprehensive report on US efforts to address religious persecution and violence in Nigeria.

A copy of the bill seen by reporters states that “systemic religious persecution,” including mass killings, kidnappings, rape, destruction of villages and forced displacement, has persisted in Nigeria since 2009. The lawmakers attributed these acts to Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Fulani militant groups and other extremist organisations, claiming that between 50,000 and 125,000 Christians were killed between 2009 and 2025 and that numerous churches were attacked or destroyed within the same period.

“The acts carried out by these militias are intended to intimidate, coerce, and displace civilian populations, disrupt local governance, and assert control over territory,” the bill states, adding that such actions meet the criteria for designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation under US law.

The bill is separate from another proposed legislation sponsored by Moore and Smith seeking to designate former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and two Nigerian herder groups as terrorists.

In the new bill, the five lawmakers further argued that the US Secretary of State should work with the Nigerian government to counter what they described as “hostile foreign exploitation” linked to Chinese illegal mining operations and the alleged practice of paying protection money to Fulani militias. The Chinese government and its embassy in Nigeria have not responded to the allegations.

Previous reports have made similar claims. A study by SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based research and strategic intelligence firm, alleged that some Chinese companies bribed armed groups to gain access to mining sites. The findings, shared with a British newspaper, included videos in which militant leaders reportedly boasted that Chinese miners operating in their territories paid “rent.”

Separately, an investigation by WikkiTimes, a Bauchi-based publication, reported that Chinese-affiliated miners allegedly engaged with members of a terror faction led by Dogo Gide to secure access to mining locations in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. An audio clip cited in the report purportedly captured discussions about negotiations before operations commenced.

The bill comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions between the United States and Nigeria over allegations of religious persecution. Over the past year, some US lawmakers have accused Nigeria of tolerating what they describe as a campaign of Christian genocide, a claim the Nigerian government has repeatedly denied. Abuja maintains that terrorist violence affects Nigerians of all religious backgrounds.

President Donald Trump recently redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” a move that raised concerns about possible sanctions or other measures. Tensions escalated further following US airstrikes carried out on December 25, 2025, which Trump said targeted Islamic State camps in Nigeria’s North-west. Debris from the strikes was reportedly found in Sokoto, Kwara and Niger states, with some observers questioning whether all missiles hit their intended targets.

The Nigerian government said it consented to the airstrikes and described them as part of an ongoing bilateral security partnership conducted with full respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Reports have also indicated that the United States has deployed a small team of military personnel to Nigeria, with plans to send an additional 200 troops. Concerns have been raised domestically about the presence of foreign troops, but Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has stated that the US personnel will focus on training and tactical support rather than direct combat operations.