The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the arrest of five Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining activities in Akwa Ibom State.
The arrests were made by operatives from the EFCC’s Uyo Zonal Directorate, following intelligence reports of unauthorised mining operations in the region.
In a statement, the EFCC revealed that a Special Task Force on Illegal Mining apprehended the suspects at Ndito-Eka-Iba village in the Ibiono Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom.
The illegal operation was targeting ilmenite, a valuable titanium-iron oxide mineral used in various industries.
The arrests occurred over several weeks, with the first suspect, Zhon Qinping, detained on September 10, 2024.
Four others—Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng—were apprehended on August 29, 2024, at the same illegal mining site.
The EFCC stated that these arrests are part of a larger investigation into foreign entities conducting unlawful mining activities in Akwa Ibom’s Eket and Ibiono LGAs.
The five Chinese nationals are currently in EFCC custody and will face prosecution upon the completion of investigations.
The agency said that this is part of its effort to regulate Nigeria’s mining industry and ensure that foreign nationals and companies comply with local mining laws.
Illegal mining, particularly in mineral-rich regions of Nigeria, has been a growing concern.
In a related case, two other Chinese nationals—Zhou Miao and Shi De Quan—along with a Nigerian, Udobi Cletus Chike, were arrested for illegal coal mining in Kogi State.
They, along with Anbaituo Mining Company Nigeria Limited, are facing charges for violating the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
They have pleaded not guilty and were granted N5 million bail each by the Federal High Court in Abuja, with their trial set to begin on October 14, 2024.
