By Nkechi Eze
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Directorate, have arrested five individuals alleged to be involved in the illegal extraction and transportation of ilmenite, commonly known as “black sand”, in Akwa Ibom State.
The suspects Samuel Eshiet Akwa, Willie Peter Uboko, Muhammed Tukur, Salmannu Ibrahim and Jaafar Adam, were apprehended on Wednesday, 13 August 2025 while conveying 1,200 bags of the mineral in a truck without the required licence.
According to a statement issued by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the only document produced by the suspects was a waybill identifying the consignment as belonging to WillJane Global Ventures Limited.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the firm is owned by one of the suspects, Willie Peter Uboko, who is alleged to have been operating without a mining licence for the past four years. The commission also disclosed that the suspects had been transporting the illegally mined ilmenite to undisclosed destinations before their arrest.
Under interrogation, the men claimed they were heading to Onne, Port Harcourt in Rivers State to deliver the consignment when they were intercepted.
The operation followed weeks of surveillance by EFCC operatives along the coastal areas of Mkpanak in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Oyewale said the suspects are currently providing useful information to investigators and would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
