The Cross River State Government has intensified its crackdown on illegal mining, with over 40 suspected illegal miners arrested in a forest within the Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.
The arrests were made during a coordinated operation by the State Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce, following weeks of surveillance aimed at dismantling unlawful mining camps across the state.
The State Taskforce Chairman, Prince Paul Effiong, who disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Calabar, said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to protect the state’s mineral-rich forests from exploitation by unlicensed miners.
He noted that the arrests add to a growing list of offenders, with 20 others apprehended in August across the Yakurr LGA and Uyanga forest, bringing the total to 60 suspects within three months.
Effiong revealed that in the past three years, over 5,000 illegal miners have invaded Biase, Yakurr, and Akamkpa LGAs, including parts of the Cross River-National Park, in search of gold and other precious stones.
Many of the invaders, he said, are heavily armed and originate from Northern Nigeria and the Sahel region.
He assured that the state government is committed to ending illegal mining and safeguarding its natural environment.
“We will not allow lawless individuals to destroy our land for selfish gain. All mining operations in Cross River must comply with environmental and legal standards,” Effiong said.
Effiong also warned residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements or strangers claiming to be miners.
He explained that the suspected infiltrators might attempt to gain the trust of local leaders and residents before engaging in criminal or terrorist activities.
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