U.S. Air Force C-17 Movement Spotted Near Abuja as China Rejects “Illegal Mining” Allegations

us-china tension

Abuja, Nigeria — Aviation watchers are tracking the movement of a U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III (tail 10-0218) on a West Africa route that includes Accra, Ghana, amid a separate, fast-developing diplomatic dispute over allegations involving Chinese-linked mining activity in Nigeria.

While the two developments may be unrelated, their same-week timing is a reminder of how security cooperation, strategic minerals, and great-power competition increasingly intersect around Nigeria — and why Abuja remains a focal point for both Western and Chinese engagement.

What flight trackers show about the USAF C-17 (10-0218)

Public flight-tracking data indicates the aircraft operated from Wrightstown, New Jersey (WRI) — the airfield associated with Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst — then moved onward via Gran Canaria (LPA) and into Accra (ACC). (Flightradar24)

Some observers on social media are claiming the jet continued to Abuja after Accra. However, at the time of writing, the aircraft’s final destination from ACC is not displayed on some public trackers, and no official statement (from U.S. or Nigerian authorities) has been released publicly explaining the mission. (Flightradar24)

What’s clear is that C-17s are not passenger airliners: they’re heavy-lift military transports typically used for logistics, equipment movement, humanitarian support, personnel transport, and rapid response operations. (thunderovernewhampshire.com)

The parallel diplomatic storm: U.S. lawmakers’ bill and China’s rebuttal

The bill: allegations tied to insecurity and illegal mining

In Washington, a group of U.S. House Republicans introduced a proposed measure titled the “Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026.” The bill text includes language urging U.S. diplomatic engagement with Nigeria to counter what it describes as “Chinese illegal mining operations” and an alleged practice of paying “protection money” to Fulani militias.

Nigerian outlets report the bill was introduced by Reps. Chris Smith, Riley Moore (listed as author in coverage), Brian Mast, Mario Díaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga. (TheCable)

China’s response: “groundless” and “fabricated”

The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has pushed back hard, describing the allegations circulating from U.S. political and media channels as baseless and warning against narratives it says could damage China–Nigeria relations.

The Embassy’s position, as reported, is that Chinese companies operating abroad are expected to comply with host-country laws, and that many Chinese businesses contribute through employment and community development — while also being victims of insecurity in some areas.

Nigeria’s mining reality: enforcement is rising, tensions are real

Whatever the truth behind specific allegations, Nigeria’s illegal mining problem is not new — and Abuja has been stepping up enforcement.

Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, has highlighted the government’s crackdown via a dedicated enforcement structure (“Mining Marshals”), describing illegal mining as linked to revenue loss, environmental harm, community conflict, and criminal networks. (Punch Newspapers)

International reporting has also documented Nigeria’s broader push to control illegal mining and strengthen regulation as the country positions itself within the global critical minerals conversation. (PBS)

Why Abuja sits at the center of this moment

Abuja is where these big forces meet:

• Diplomacy: major embassies, security dialogues, and high-level visits

• Security cooperation: training, intelligence coordination, logistics support

• Resource competition: strategic interest in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector and supply chains

So even a single military transport movement — especially one as capable as a C-17 — can spark speculation online. At the same time, high-profile political claims about mining and insecurity draw immediate responses because they touch on Nigeria’s sovereignty, investment climate, and regional stability.

What we still don’t know (and what to watch next)

Because this is a developing story, several key facts remain unconfirmed publicly:

1. Was Abuja the confirmed destination of the C-17 after Accra? (Trackers and social reports differ; official confirmation is absent.) (Flightradar24)

2. What was the mission purpose — routine logistics, embassy support, exercises, humanitarian cargo, or something else? (No official release yet.)

3. Will the U.S. bill advance, and will it produce measurable policy action (sanctions, reporting requirements, or security conditionality), or remain a political signal?

4. Will Nigeria respond formally to the bill’s framing and China’s rebuttal — especially as Abuja intensifies domestic mining enforcement? (Punch Newspapers)

AbujaCity.com will keep tracking developments

As Nigeria navigates tougher mining enforcement at home and louder scrutiny abroad, Abuja remains the stage where international partnerships — and disagreements — often play out first.

AbujaCity.com will continue to monitor credible updates from official channels and reputable newsrooms, including any confirmation around the aircraft’s Abuja stop and any diplomatic follow-through on the mining allegations and denials.

Stay with AbujaCity.com for updates as this story develops.