Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Uyo Zonal Directorate, have arrested 11 suspected illegal miners for engaging in mining activities without requisite licences.
They were arrested on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Emem-Asuk community, Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The suspects are 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 include David Israel, 18, Jonah Bartholomew Jim, 24, Samuel Samuel Timothy, 20, and a female translator named Comfort Gabriel Ajaga, 23.
This was contained in a statement by the EFCC, and shared on its X handle on Monday.
According to the EFCC, the suspects were operating two illegal mining sites at the Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, where they were arrested whilst setting up mining equipment at a second location.
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The Commission noted that, the suspects were already engaged in illegal mining activities at their first location where they were mining ilmenite locally called ‘black sand’
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.
She said, “I am a student, and I am studying the Chinese language at a Learning Centre in Anambra State, and I only work with them as a translator.”
The anti-graft agency said that the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.