Operatives of the Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 11 suspects, including four Chinese nationals and seven Nigerian collaborators for alleged illegal mining.
The head of Media and Publicity of the anti-graft agency in the zone, Dele Ojewale, who disclosed this in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, said the suspects were arrested on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the coastal oil-bearing community of Emem-Asuk, in Eastern Obolo local government area.
He listed the suspects as four Chinese: 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 Nigerian accomplices are: David Israel, 18, Jonah Bartholomew Jim, 24, Samuel Samuel Timothy, 20, and a female translator named Comfort Gabriel Ajaga, 23.
He explained that, “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.”
“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,” Ojewale recalled.
In an interview, the female suspect 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.”
However, Ojewale vowed, “The suspects will be charged in court upon conclusion of the investigation.”
