Chinese siblings, two Nigerians detained for attempting to export solid minerals without permit

Stanley Ihedigbo

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested two Chinese brothers, Wang Jiang and Wang Richard, along with two Nigerians, Donatus Agupusi and Michael Benneth Agu, for allegedly attempting to export solid minerals without the required permit.

Jiang was apprehended at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu after suspicious stones, believed to be solid minerals, were found in his luggage during a baggage screening.

According to the Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, preliminary investigations revealed that Agupusi, owner of Great Wall Construction Limited, is the employer of the other suspects.

Further investigations showed that Jiang planned to travel to China to conduct tests on the solid minerals, and none of the suspects had the necessary permit to export the minerals.

The arrest was not an isolated incident, as the EFCC has been cracking down on illegal mining activities in Nigeria.

In February 2024, the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC arrested two Chinese nationals, Xiao Yi and Duan Yahong, for alleged illegal mining.

Similarly, in April 2024, the EFCC arraigned two Chinese nationals, Duan Ya Hong and Xiao Yi, along with their company, Ebuy Concept Limited, for alleged illegal mining activities.

Their arrest followed an intelligence received by the Commission through the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on November 3, 2024 involving Jiang who was intercepted at the hold baggage screening point, where unidentified suspicious stones believed to be solid minerals wrapped in three  different pieces were discovered in his luggage.

Investigations further revealed that none of the four suspects had a permit to export the solid minerals to China.