The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested seven Chinese nationals and four Nigerians for alleged involvement in illegal mining operations in Akwa Ibom State.
The arrests were disclosed on Monday in a statement posted on the Commission’s official X account.
According to the EFCC, the suspects were apprehended on Thursday, July 24, 2025, by operatives from its Uyo Zonal Directorate at Emem-Asuk community, located in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of the state.
They were arrested for allegedly engaging in mining activities without the required licences.
The seven Chinese nationals arrested were 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 counterparts are David Israel (18), Jonah Bartholomew Jim (24), Samuel Samuel Timothy (20), and Comfort Gabriel Ajaga (23), who served as a female translator.
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“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.
They were arrested on Thursday July 24, 2025, at Emem-Asuk community, Eastern Obolo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The suspects are 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,” the statement read in part.
The EFCC said the group was operating two illegal mining sites in the area.
They were allegedly caught while setting up equipment at a second site, while mining activities were already ongoing at the first, where they had been extracting ilmenite, also known as “black sand.”
During questioning, the translator, Comfort Gabriel Ajaga, told investigators that her role was limited to interpretation.
She explained that she is currently learning Mandarin at a language centre in Anambra State and was only helping with communication due to her language skills.
The EFCC confirmed that the suspects will face prosecution once investigations are completed.
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Image Credit: Diamondfm
