The Cross River State Government has arrested 40 individuals suspected of involvement in illegal mining activities in the forest areas of Akamkpa Local Government Area.
The suspects were apprehended during a coordinated operation by the State Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce, aimed at curbing the growing cases of unlawful exploitation of the state’s natural resources.
Chairman of the taskforce, Paul Effiong, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Friday, noting that the exercise followed renewed surveillance and field actions ordered by the government to secure the state’s forests and mineral-rich zones.
Effiong disclosed that the latest operation brings the total number of arrests in the past three months to 60, following an earlier clampdown in August that led to the apprehension of 20 illegal miners in Yakurr and the Uyanga forest area of Akamkpa.
He further revealed that several illegal mining sites have already been sealed off, with heavy equipment and materials seized as evidence for prosecution.
Effiong lamented that over the last three years, more than 5,000 illegal miners have infiltrated parts of Biase, Yakurr, and Akamkpa LGAs, including areas within the Cross River National Park, a federally protected reserve, in search of gold and other precious stones.
“Many of these miners are armed and come from different parts of Northern Nigeria and the Sahel region. They destroy farmlands and degrade the environment through unregulated digging,” Effiong stated.
He added that the taskforce would continue to intensify field operations until the menace is completely eradicated, assuring that those arrested would be handed over to security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Effiong reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to ending illegal mining activities, stressing that only licensed operators who comply with environmental and safety standards would be allowed to continue operations.
“The government will not tolerate illegal mining. Operators must regularize their activities and comply with laid-down regulations,” he warned.
