Seven Chinese, Four Nigerians Arrested For Suspected Illegal Mining In Akwa Ibom
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have arrested eleven suspected illegal miners for engaging in mining activities without requisite licences.
Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity of the anti-graft agency, in a statement Monday said they were arrested on Thursday July 24, 2025, at Emem-Asuk community, Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
According to him, the suspects were seven Chinese identified 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.
Oyewale explained that the suspects before the arrest, were operating two illegal mining sites at Eastern Obolo Local Government Area where they were arrested whilst setting up mining equipment at a second location.
Noting that they were already engaged in illegal mining activities at their first location where they were mining ilmenite locally called ‘black sand’
He 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 EFCC spokesperson said the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
