The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested two Chinese nationals and two Nigerians for attempting to export solid minerals without the necessary permits.

The anti-graft agency in a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the Chinese nationals who are siblings are identified as Wang Jiang and Wang Richard, while the Nigerians are Donatus Agupusi and Michael Benneth Agu.

Oyewale said Wang 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 the hold baggage screening.

The other suspects, Donatus Agupusi and Michael Benneth Agu, were arrested at the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC.

According to the statement, the arrest of the suspects followed an intelligence received by the Commission through the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on November 3, 2024

The statement added, “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.

“Preliminary investigations into the matter revealed that Agupusi, owner of Great Wall Construction Limited, is the employer of the remaining suspects. Investigation also revealed that Jiang was attempting to travel out of the country with the solid minerals in order to 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 suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”