Police Seize Large Titanium Ore Consignment, Nab Ring Leader In A/Ibom

In the ongoing crackdown on illegal miners and other criminal elements engaging in economic sabotage, operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have intercepted a large consignment of titanium ore extracted from some communities in Ibeno local government area of Akwa Ibom State.

Disclosing this to Journalists at the Police Command headquarters, the Police Spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, stated that the seizure of the expensive mineral worth millions of Naira were discovered when operatives stormed the sites located in three coastal communities – Atia, Okorutip and Ndito Eka Iba.

According to her, the ring – leader, identified as one James John, 34, alias “Kpoi”, was arrested, while other suspected accomplices fled on sighting the approaching Police operatives.

“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has intensified its ongoing crackdown on illegal mining activities across the State, in furtherance of the Command’s resolve to protect the State’s mineral resources, prevent environmental degradation and dismantle criminal networks exploiting mineral resources without lawful authority.

Therefore, in continuation of the enforcement drive announced by the Command on 27 September 2026, under the caption “Police Declare War on Illegal Mining in Akwa Ibom State,” operatives of the Command, on 28 September 2026 at about 1100 hours, stormed suspected illegal mining sites located at Okorutip, Atia and Ndito Ekaiba coastal villages in Ibeno LGA

“During the operation, the operatives arrested one James John, a.k.a. “Kpoi,” male, 34 years old, of Itak Ifaha Village, who was identified as one of the principal suspects allegedly involved in illegal mining activities within the area.

“Other persons found at the mining locations reportedly fled the scene upon sighting the Police operatives and are currently being traced as investigations continue,” she stated.

DSP John, disclosed items recovered at the site to include several bags containing mineral substance identified as titanium ore, commonly referred to as black sand.

“The recovered materials have been secured and will be subjected to appropriate examination and verification as part of the ongoing investigation,” she said.

She expressed the Command’s concern about the activities of individuals and groups engaging in the unlawful extraction, processing, storage and movement of mineral resources, especially in coastal communities, where such activities have the potential to cause significant environmental damage and undermine lawful regulatory processes, and warned perpetrators to desist or be ready to face the full weight of the law.

DSP John explained that the arrest and recovery form part of the Command’s broader operational strategy to identify the individuals financing, coordinating and facilitating illegal mining activities, rather than merely targeting persons found at mining sites.

The Commissioner of Police, Babs Azare, she added, has reiterated that there would be no safe haven for illegal mining syndicates in the State, warning that “individuals, groups, sponsors, financiers, collaborators and other persons involved in the unlawful exploitation of the State’s mineral resources are advised to immediately desist from such activities or face the full weight of the law.”