The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested five men in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, for allegedly mining and transporting ilmenite, also called black sand, without a licence.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said in a statement on Friday that the suspects were caught after weeks of surveillance along the coastal lines of Mkpanak in Ibeno Local Government Area.
The suspects were identified as Samuel Eshiet Akwa, Willie Peter Uboko, Muhammed Tukur, Salmannu Ibrahim, and Jaafar Adam.
Oyewale said the men were intercepted with a truck carrying 1,200 bags of ilmenite. “All they had was a waybill indicating that the consignment belonged to a certain WillJane Global Ventures Ltd,” he said.
He explained that preliminary findings showed WillJane Global Ventures Ltd is owned by one of the suspects, Willie Peter Uboko, who had allegedly been operating without a mining licence for the past four years and moving ilmenite to unknown locations.
Oyewale added, “He was alleged to have been operating without a mining licence for the past four years and transporting ilmenite to unidentified destinations.”
The EFCC said during questioning, the suspects admitted they were heading to Onne in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to make a delivery when they were arrested.
“The suspects are making useful statements and will be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded,” Oyewale said.
