Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 11 suspected illegal miners at Emem-Asuk community, Eastern Obolo Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom State.
The EFCC in a statement on Monday said the suspects were arrested on Thursday July 24, 2025 for engaging in mining activities without requisite licences.
“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,” the EFCC said.
“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 EFCC said the suspects are operating two illegal mining sites at Eastern Obolo LGA where they were arrested whilst setting up mining equipment at a second location.
According to the anti-graft agency, they 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.
“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 stated that the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
