The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested five Chinese nationals for alleged illegal mining activities in Ndito-Eka-Iba village, located in the Ibiono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
This was disclosed by Mr. Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the EFCC, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja. He explained that the arrests were made by the Commission’s Special Task Force on Illegal Mining, operating out of the EFCC’s Uyo Zonal office.
According to Mr. Oyewale, the operation was based on credible intelligence concerning illicit mining operations conducted by foreign companies in both Eket and Ibiono Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom.
The five suspects, identified as Zhon Qinping (arrested on September 10) and Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng (arrested on August 29), were detained at an illegal mining site where ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral, was being extracted.
“The suspects will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations,” Mr. Oyewale stated.
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