The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested five Chinese nationals for their involvement in illegal mining activities in Akwa Ibom State.
The suspects were apprehended in the Ndito-Eka-Iba village of Ibieno Local Government Area following an operation led by the EFCC’s Special Task Force on Illegal Mining.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the arrested individuals include Zhon Qinping, Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng.
The suspects are accused of illegally mining ilmenite, a valuable titanium-iron oxide mineral, in areas of Eket and Ibieno Local Government. The operation was initiated after credible intelligence reports indicated the involvement of foreign companies in illicit mining activities.
The EFCC noted that further investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon the completion of the probe. Illegal mining has become a growing concern in Nigeria, as it leads to significant environmental degradation and loss of revenue for the government.
