Operatives from the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended five Chinese nationals suspected of illegal mining in Ndito-Eka-Iba village, Ibieno Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
In a statement released on Sunday, September 15, 2024, the EFCC disclosed that the arrests were made by the “Special Task Force on Illegal Mining” at the commission’s Uyo Zonal office. This action followed reliable intelligence on the illegal activities of foreign mining companies in Eket and Ibieno Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.
The Chinese suspects include Zhon Qinping, who was arrested on September 10, 2024, and Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng, who were apprehended on August 29, 2024, all at the same location.
The arrests occurred at an illegal mining site where a mineral suspected to be ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral, was being extracted.
The suspects are expected to face charges in court once the investigations are complete.
