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 suspects are operating two illegal mining sites at
Eastern Obolo Local Government Area where they were arrested whilst setting up
mining equipment at a second location. 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 suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion
of investigation.
Comments:
Leave a Reply