Another 40 suspected illegal miners were arrested few days ago in forest areas of Akamkpa Local Government Area, Cross River State.
They were nabbed during a recent operation by the State Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce.
Chairman of the taskforce, Prince Paul Effiong, disclosed this in a statement, noting that the arrests followed renewed surveillance and field action to rid the state’s forests of unlawful mining activities.
It will be recalled that in August 2025, 20 illegal miners were also apprehended in Yakurr LGA and the Uyanga forest in Akamkpa, bringing the total arrests in three months to 60.
In the past three years, over 5,000 illegal miners had invaded Biase, Yakurr, and Akamkpa LGAs, including sections of the protected Cross River National Park.
Many of the miners, reportedly armed, are said to come from parts of Northern Nigeria and the Sahel region, digging mainly for gold and other precious stones.
Effiong reaffirmed the government’s commitment to stopping the illegal activity, safeguarding the state’s natural resources, and ensuring that all mining operations comply with environmental and legal standards.
“The government will not tolerate illegal mining. Operators must regularize their activities and comply with laid-down regulations,” he warned.
He added that several illegal mining sites had already been shut down as part of the enforcement drive, with arrests made and equipment seized.
Effiong maintained that the taskforce would not relent in intensifying operations across the state until the menace is fully curbed.
