EFCC Arrests Five for Illegal Mining of Ilmenite in Akwa Ibom

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended five suspected illegal miners over the extraction and transportation of ilmenite, locally called black sand, without proper licensing in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja. He revealed that the operation followed weeks of surveillance along the coastal lines of Mkpanak in the Ibeno Local Government Area.

The suspects were identified as Samuel Eshiet Akwa, Willie Peter Uboko, Muhammed Tukur, Salmannu Ibrahim, and Jaafar Adam. According to the EFCC, they were caught transporting 1,200 bags of ilmenite in a truck without authorisation. The only document in their possession was a waybill indicating the consignment belonged to WillJane Global Ventures Ltd, a company allegedly owned by one of the suspects, Willie Peter Uboko.

Investigations revealed that the company has allegedly been operating without a valid mining license for the past four years, transporting ilmenite to undisclosed destinations. During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed they were en route to Onne, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for delivery at the time of their arrest.

Oyewale stated that the suspects are currently providing useful information to investigators and will be charged in court once the investigation is concluded.

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