Seven Chinese, 4 Nigerian accomplices nabbed for illegal mining in Akwa Ibom
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They were already engaged in illegal mining activities at their first location where they were mining ilmenite locally called ‘black sand.’" EFCC said
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Seven Chinese were among 11 suspects arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for engaging in illegal mining activities at Emem-Asuk community, Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. They were arrested alongside five Nigerians.
The suspects who were engaging in mining without requisite licences were arrested by operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on Thursday July 24, 2025, the anti-graft agency said in a statement on Thursday.
In the statement, the EFCC identified that suspects as: Yang Chaobao, 32, Zhong Dun Yi , 33, Cheng Jiang , 35, Zhong Dun Long , 37, Pan Peiming , 33, Lai Yiping, 37 and Zhu Lekun, 35.
Their Nigerian accomplices are: David Israel, 18, Jonah Bartholomew Jim , 24, Samuel Samuel Timothy, 20, and a female translator named Comfort Gabriel Ajaga , 23.
According to the EFCC statement, the suspects were operating two illegal mining sites at Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
They where they were arrested whilst setting up mining equipment at a second location.
“They were already engaged in illegal mining activities at their first location where they were mining ilmenite locally called ‘black sand.’” EFCC said
During questioning, the only female among the suspects said her only connection to the illegal miners was her proficiency in speaking ‘mandarin’, a widely spoken language in China.
“I am a student, and I am studying Chinese language at a Learning Centre in Anambra State and I only work with them as a translator”, she said.
The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
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