The {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC) has arrested seven Chinese language nationals and 4 Nigerians for alleged unlawful mining actions in Akwa Ibom State.
The disclosure was made through a press release on the Fee’s official X account on Monday.
In response to the EFCC, operatives from its Uyo Zonal Directorate carried out the arrests on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Emem-Asuk group within the Japanese Obolo Native Authorities Space of the state. The suspects have been apprehended for working with out the requisite mining licences.
These arrested embrace seven Chinese language residents recognized as Yang Chaobao (32), Zhong Dun Yi (33), Cheng Jiang (35), Zhong Dun Lengthy (37), Pan Peiming (33), Lai Yiping (37), and Zhu Lekun (35).
The Nigerian suspects have been named as David Israel (18), Jonah Bartholomew Jim (24), Samuel Samuel Timothy (20), and Consolation Gabriel Ajaga (23), a feminine translator.
“Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee, EFCC, have arrested eleven suspected unlawful miners for partaking in mining actions with out requisite licences.
“They have been arrested on Thursday July 24, 2025, at Emem-Asuk group, Japanese Obolo Native Authorities Space of Akwa Ibom State. The suspects are seven Chinese language recognized as: Yang Chaobao, 32, Zhong Dun Yi , 33, Cheng Jiang , 35, Zhong Dun Lengthy , 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 feminine translator named Consolation Gabriel Ajaga , 23,” the assertion learn partly.
The EFCC said that the group operated two unlawful mining websites within the space. They have been allegedly apprehended whereas putting in tools at a second web site, whilst mining actions have been already ongoing on the first location the place they’d been extracting ilmenite, generally known as “black sand.”
Throughout interrogation, the translator, Consolation Gabriel Ajaga, defined that her involvement was restricted to interpretation companies, citing her proficiency in Mandarin, which she is presently learning at a language centre in Anambra State.
The Fee added that the suspects might be charged to courtroom upon the conclusion of investigations.
There have been a number of such instances of unlawful mining involving international nationals throughout Nigeria, with the EFCC stepping up enforcement in latest months.
They have been subsequently convicted for illegal possession and buy of mineral sources and sentenced to 5 years imprisonment every, with an possibility of a N1 million superb.
