Cross River State Government, under Governor Bassey Otu, has warned that traditional rulers found supporting illegal mining will face sanctions as part of efforts to clean up the sector. Chairman of the state’s Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force,Prince Paul Effiong has stated that over the past year, more than 2,000 illegal miners have been deported and 215 suspects are facing prosecution.
The task force has intensified enforcement, recently arresting over 40 suspected miners in Akamkpa LGA, while encouraging communities to participate legally in mining rather than aiding criminal networks.
Governor Otu’s administration aims to fully sanitize the mining sector, which has been plagued by illegal operations, including armed miners from Northern Nigeria and the Sahel targeting gold and precious stones in areas such as Biase, Yakurr, Akamkpa, and Cross River National Park.
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