Crime

EFCC Detains Five Chinese Nationals for Alleged Illegal Mining in Akwa Ibom

Published by Tope Fakinlede on September 15th, 2024.

EFCC Detains Five Chinese Nationals for Alleged Illegal Mining in Akwa Ibom

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained five Chinese nationals on charges of illegal mining in Akwa Ibom State. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale announced on Sunday that the arrests occurred between August 29 and September 10 by the Commission’s Special Task Force.

The suspects, identified as Zhon Qinping, Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng, were apprehended at an unauthorized mining site in Ibeno, where they were found extracting a mineral believed to be ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral.

Oyewale stated that the suspects will face legal proceedings once the investigation is concluded. The arrests were made based on credible intelligence about illegal mining activities by foreign companies in the Eket and Ibeno areas of Akwa Ibom State.