China Denies U.S. Allegations of Sponsoring Terrorism in Nigeria Amid Illegal Mining Claims

China has responded to allegations made by five U.S. congressmen accusing the Chinese government of sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria through illegal mining operations. The congressmen, including Riley Moore from West Virginia, Chris Smith from New Jersey, Bill Huizenga from Michigan, Brian Mast, and Mario Diaz-Balart from Florida, introduced a bill titled the "Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act 2026," linking Chinese illegal mining to terrorist funding in Nigeria.

However, the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria issued a statement on Thursday rejecting the claims, emphasizing that Chinese mining companies in the country adhere to Nigerian mining regulations. The embassy highlighted that China requires its nationals to comply with Nigerian mining regulations and dismissed allegations of funding radical Islamic groups or ethnic militias to protect its mining interests in Nigeria.