Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have arrested 11 suspected illegal miners for engaging in mining activities without requisite licences.

Its Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Oyewale said they were arrested on Thursday, at Emem-Asuk community, Eastern Obolo Local Government Area (LGA) 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 Jim, 24; Samuel Timothy, 20, and a 23-year-old female translator, Comfort Ajaga,” he said.

Oyewale said that the suspects were 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,” he said.

He quoted the female suspect as saying, “I am a student, and I am studying Chinese Language at a Learning Centre in Anambra and I only work with them as a translator.”

Oyewale said that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.