Police arrest illegal mining suspect, recover titanium ore

Etim Ekpimah

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old man identified as one of the principal suspects in alleged illegal mining activities in Ibeno Local Government Area and recovered bags of suspected titanium ore.

The arrest was made on Monday, September 28, when police operatives raided suspected illegal mining sites at Okorutip, Atia and Ndito Ekaiba coastal villages in Ibeno.

The suspect, James John, also known as “Kpoi”, is from Itak Ifaha Village.

The operation forms part of the command’s intensified crackdown on illegal mining, following its declaration of a renewed campaign against the unlawful exploitation of mineral resources in the state.

According to the command, several other people found at the sites fled when the police arrived. They are being traced as investigations continue.

Police said the recovered material was identified as titanium ore, commonly known as “black sand”. The material has been secured and will undergo further examination and verification.

The command said its investigation would extend beyond those found at mining sites to identify people allegedly financing, coordinating or facilitating the operations.

The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, warned individuals, groups, sponsors and financiers involved in illegal mining to stop the activities or face prosecution.

The command said illegal mining, particularly in coastal communities, could damage the environment and undermine lawful regulation of the state’s mineral resources.

It added that it would work with regulatory agencies, other security organisations, traditional institutions and residents to identify and disrupt illegal mining operations.

The police urged residents of mining-prone communities to provide credible information about suspected illegal mining activities, assuring them that such information would be treated confidentially.

The command said the investigation was ongoing.

DSP Timfon John, Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Command, disclosed this to newsmen on behalf of the Commissioner of Police on September 29, 2026.