Five Chinese In EFCC Net For Alleged Illegal Mining In Akwa Ibom

Five Chinese miners are currently cooling their feet inside the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s custody over alleged illegal mining activities in Akwa Ibom State.

Available information indicated that operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency arrested the suspects at Ndito-Eka-Iba village, in Ibieno Local Government Area of the South South State.

It was further gathered that the alleged illegal miners were arrested by the “Special Task Force on illegal Mining” following credible intelligence on the illegal activities of foreign mining companies within Eket and Ibieno Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State.

Those arrested and paraded as suspects are: Zhon Qinping arrested on September 10, 2024 at Ibieno Local Government Area, while Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou and Chen Zeng who were picked up on August 29, 2024 at the same location.

EFCC sources confirmed that they were all picked up at an illegal mining site where a mineral suspected to be ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral is said to have been found in commercial quantity.

The reliable sources said all the suspects and their accomplices would be charged to court as soon as ongoing investigations are concluded.