Five Chinese Nationals Arrested for Alleged Illegal Mining in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
The Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended five Chinese individuals suspected of illegal mining activities in Ndito-Eka-Iba village, located in the Ibieno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
According to an EFCC statement, these arrests were made by the "Special Task Force on Illegal Mining" following credible intelligence regarding the operations of foreign mining companies in the Eket and Ibieno areas.
The arrested individuals include Zhon Qinping, who was taken into custody on September 10, 2024, and four others—Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng—who were detained on August 29, 2024, all at the same illegal mining site. The operation was targeting a mineral believed to be ilmenite, which is a titanium-iron oxide mineral.