Veracity Desk veracitydesk
Related Articles
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Uyo Zonal Directorate has apprehended five Chinese nationals in connection with illegal mining activities in Ndito-Eka-Iba village, Ibiono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The arrests followed a series of intelligence reports concerning unauthorized mining operations by foreign nationals in the region.
According to a statement from the EFCC, the arrest was carried out by the Commission’s “Special Task Force on Illegal Mining” after credible intelligence indicated that foreign mining companies were engaged in unlicensed extraction of valuable minerals in Eket and Ibiono Local Government Areas.
The operation, which took place on two separate occasions, led to the capture of Zhon Qinping on September 10, 2024, while Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng were arrested earlier on August 29, 2024, at the same illegal mining site. The site was allegedly being used to mine ilmenite, a mineral composed of titanium-iron oxide, which is highly sought after for its industrial uses, particularly in the production of titanium-based products.
The illegal mining site is believed to have been operating without the necessary regulatory approval, prompting the EFCC to take swift action to prevent further exploitation of the country’s mineral resources. The suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of their operations, as well as potential local collaborators.
Speaking on the arrests, an EFCC spokesperson noted, “The activities of these foreign illegal miners pose a serious threat to the economy and the environment, as they operate outside the bounds of the law, disregarding both environmental regulations and due processes in mineral resource management.”
The EFCC has assured the public that the suspects will be charged to court once investigations are concluded, and further emphasized its commitment to tackling illegal mining and other financial crimes that undermine Nigeria’s economy. The Commission has also called on citizens to report any suspicious activities involving illegal resource extraction to the appropriate authorities.
This latest development comes as the government intensifies efforts to curb illegal mining and its associated environmental and economic damages, particularly in regions rich in natural resources like Akwa Ibom. The EFCC continues to work closely with other agencies to enforce compliance with Nigeria’s mining laws and protect the nation’s mineral wealth from illegal exploitation.
The suspects face the possibility of significant legal consequences if found guilty, as Nigeria’s laws on illegal mining and environmental degradation carry heavy penalties. This arrest highlights the ongoing challenge of foreign involvement in illegal resource extraction, an issue the government has pledged to address through enhanced monitoring and enforcement measures.
