The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Uyo Zonal Command, has apprehended five Chinese nationals for suspected illegal mining activities in Ndito-Eka-Iba village, Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
According to a statement released on Sunday by the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the arrests were made by the commission’s Special Task Force following intelligence reports.
The suspects were nabbed at the mining site while extracting a mineral believed to be ilmenite, a titanium iron oxide.
The individuals arrested include Zhon Qinping, Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng.
They were apprehended between August 29 and September 10.
Oyewale confirmed that the suspects would face charges in court once the investigation was concluded.
“The five individuals were arrested at an illegal mining site for extracting ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral, following credible intelligence on the illegal activities of foreign mining companies in Eket and Ibeno Local Government Areas,” the EFCC spokesman said.
