The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reported that its officers from the Uyo Zonal Command arrested five Chinese nationals for allegedly engaging in illegal mining. This incident occurred in the Ndito-Eka-Iba village located in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

According to EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the suspects were apprehended between August 29 and September 10. They were arrested by a special task force from the commission.

The suspects, identified as Zhon Qinping, Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng, were caught mining a mineral believed to be ilmenite, which is a titanium-iron oxide, at a site in Ibeno.

Oyewale further mentioned that the suspects will be charged in court once the investigations are concluded.

The EFCC confirmed that its officers from the Uyo Zonal Directorate detained the five Chinese nationals after receiving credible information about their illegal mining activities in Eket and Ibeno Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.

The arrests took place at a mining site where the mineral, ilmenite, suspected to be titanium-iron oxide, was being extracted illegally.