The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested five Chinese nationals for alleged illegal mining in Ndito-Eka-Iba village, Ibieno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
According to EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the arrests took place in August and September, carried out by the special task force on illegal mining.
The operation was prompted by credible intelligence on the illicit activities of foreign mining companies in Eket and Ibieno Local Government Areas of the state.mm
“The five arrested Chinese suspects are Zhon Qinping, apprehended on 10 September, and Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng, arrested on 29 August,” he said.
“They were arrested at an illegal mining site, where a mineral suspected to be ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral, was being extracted.
“The suspects will face charges in court once investigations are concluded.”
Earlier this month, mining marshals arrested two Chinese miners at an illegal mining station in Oluwa forest reserve, Odigbo LGA of Ondo state.
In July, the federal government arraigned eight Chinese nationals and one Nigerian over illegal mining in Lokpaukwu community, Umunneochi LGA of Abia state.
