Nigeria, Sept. 3 -- Four Chinese nationals have been arrested on the order of the Niger State Government for allegedly operating an unauthorised mining site in Maiya'aki village, Lapai Local Government Area.

The order followed an on-the-spot inspection by the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Muhammad Danjuma.

The commissioner's intervention followed reports received by the Emir of Lapai, Umar Bago Tafida III, concerning suspected mining activities by foreign nationals at the village.

The emir subsequently directed the district head of Abugi, Mohammed Mustapha, also known as Chiroma Lapa, and his entourage to visit the site on Tuesday to establish the identities of the operators and determine whether they had obtained the necessary a...