Five Chinese Nationals Arrested by EFCC for Illegal Mining in Akwa Ibom

Five Chinese nationals have been apprehended by operatives from the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over their alleged involvement in illegal mining activities.

The arrests took place at Ndito-Eka-Iba village, located in Ibieno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

According to a statement released by the EFCC on Sunday, September 15, 2024, the arrests were carried out by the Commission’s "Special Task Force on Illegal Mining" based at the Zonal office in Uyo.

This operation followed credible intelligence reports about the illicit activities of foreign mining companies in the Eket and Ibieno Local Government Areas of the state.

Among the arrested suspects is Zhon Qinping, who was taken into custody on September 10, 2024, in Ibieno Local Government Area. Meanwhile, four others, identified as Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng, were arrested earlier on August 29, 2024, at the same location.

The EFCC reported that the suspects were found operating at an illegal mining site, where they were allegedly mining ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral. The Commission has indicated that the suspects will be formally charged in court once investigations have been completed.