Five Chinese nationals have been arrested for illegal mining activities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, according to a statement from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesperson Dele Oyewale. The suspects were apprehended by the EFCC’s Special Task Force between August 29 and September 10.The arrests took place at an unlicensed mining site in Ndito-Eka-Iba village, Ibeno Local Government Area. The individuals—Zhon Qinping, Li Yi, Xie Bin, Chen Mou Zhou, and Chen Zeng—were found mining ilmenite, a titanium-iron oxide mineral. They will face charges in court once the investigation is completed.The EFCC’s Uyo Zonal Directorate, acting on credible intelligence, conducted the operation. The suspects were caught at the illegal mining site following reports of foreign mining companies operating unlawfully in Eket and Ibeno Local Government Areas.