Anxiety in C’River after authorities nab 40 suspected terrorists masquerading as miners
Police
IDONGESIT INYANG, CALABAR
Following recent warnings by the United States government about heightened security threats in Nigeria, Cross River State Government has raised alarm over intelligence reports of relocation of terrorists to the South-South and South-East regions, including Cross River State and posing as miners.
The suspected terrorists may attempt to infiltrate Cross River State by posing as miners, Chairman of the State Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce Committee, Prince Paul Effiong, has warned
Effiong issued the warning in a statement titled “Protect Our Land, Protect Our Future,” urging residents to remain alert and report any suspicious movements.
Thet taskforce chairman, explained that the suspected infiltrators might seek to win the trust of community leaders and residents under the guise of genuine mining operations, only to exploit their hospitality for criminal purposes.
He assured, however, that the state government under Governor Bassey Otu has put robust security measures in place to protect lives and property, stressing that there is no cause for panic.
Meanwhile, over 40 suspected illegal miners have been arrested in a forest in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State.
They were nabbed during an 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.
