China has denied allegations that it is aiding and abetting terrorism in Nigeria, following reports that the Chinese government has been providing support to militant groups in the country.
The allegations were made in a recent report by a British newspaper The Times that claimed Chinese mining industry employees were sponsoring terrorist organizations in some parts of Nigeria to gain access to the nation’s mineral resources.
In its response, the Chinese Mission said, “Our attention has been drawn to a media report titled “Chinese ‘bribed Nigerian militants for access to vast mineral reserves”, published by the The Times of the U.K. on April 15, 2023.
The Chinese mission in Nigeria strongly denied the allegations, stating that China has a firm policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
“This report, claiming that ‘Beijing could be indirectly funding terror’ in Nigeria, is based on unverified, unclear, and unproven information, to which we have to express our strong dissatisfaction and objection,” the statement read.
The Chinese government has been working closely with Nigeria on a range of issues, including economic development, infrastructure projects, and security cooperation.
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“The Chinese government was and would never be involved in any form of funding terrorism. The allegations contained in the report were totally irresponsible and unethical, and the intention of the report is seriously questioned,” the statement further reads.
In recent years, China has become one of Nigeria’s biggest trading partners and investors, with bilateral trade between the two countries reaching over $20 billion in 2022.
Nigeria has been grappling with a rise in terrorist attacks and insurgency in recent years, with Boko Haram and other militant groups carrying out deadly attacks on civilians and security forces.
The Nigerian government has been working with international partners, including China, to address the security challenges in the country.
The allegations of Chinese support for terrorism in Nigeria have raised concerns among some observers about the possible implications for the wider relationship between the two countries.
However, both China and Nigeria have emphasized their commitment to maintaining strong ties and cooperation in the face of security challenges.
