Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from the Uyo Zonal Command have apprehended five Chinese nationals for their involvement in alleged illegal mining activities in Ndito-Eka-Iba village, located in the Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
According to a statement released by the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Sunday in Uyo, the arrests were made following an intelligence tip-off.
The suspects were apprehended at the mining site on August 29, 2024, and September 10, 2024, by the commission’s Special Task Force. The group was allegedly mining ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Zhon Qinping, Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Zhou, and Chen Zeng. Oyewale noted that they will face charges in court once investigations are concluded.
The statement also highlighted that the arrests followed credible intelligence on the illicit operations of foreign mining companies within the Eket and Ibeno Local Government Areas, leading the Special Task Force on Illegal Mining to take swift action.
The EFCC remains committed to curbing illegal mining activities across the region, ensuring that those involved are brought to justice.
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