The Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested five suspected Chinese illegal miners in Akwa Ibom State. According to a statement by EFCC’s Head of Media & Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, the arrests were made at Ndito-Eka-Iba village in Ibieno Local Government Area.

The suspects were apprehended by the EFCC’s Special Task Force on Illegal Mining following credible intelligence on foreign mining companies’ illegal activities in Eket and Ibieno Local Government Areas.

The arrested suspects are: Zhon Qinping (arrested on September 10, 2024), Li Yi (arrested on August 29, 2024), Xie Bin (arrested on August 29, 2024), Chen Mou Zhou (arrested on August 29, 2024), Chen Zeng (arrested on August 29, 2024).

They were caught at an illegal mining site, suspected to be extracting ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral. The suspects will be charged to court once investigations are concluded.