Solid minerals: EFCC arrests Chinese brothers, two others

Etim Ekpimah

Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested two Chinese siblings, Wang Jiang and Wang Richard for allegedly trying to export some solid minerals without requisite permit.

The head of Media and Publicity at the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said in a statement on Friday, 8 November 2024, that while Jiang was arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, the others, including two Nigerians, Donatus Agupusi and Michael Benneth Agu, were arrested at the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.

The statement noted that the suspects’ arrest followed 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.

The statement read, “Unidentified suspicious stones believed to be solid minerals wrapped in three different pieces were discovered in his luggage.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that Agupusi, owner of Great Wall Construction Limited, is the employer of the remaining suspects.

“The investigation also revealed that Jiang was attempting to travel with the solid minerals so that they could carry out some tests on them in China.

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

The statement assured that the suspects would be charged in court as soon as investigations were concluded.