Cross River Task Force Arrests 10 Illegal Miners

The Cross River State Mining Task Force has arrested 10 suspected illegal miners in Yakurr local government area. The chairman of the task force, Prince Paul Effiong, revealed this during an interactive session in Calabar.

Effiong emphasized the task force's commitment to monitoring and preventing illegal mining activities in the state, despite facing intimidation from powerful individuals involved in the illegal mining sector. The task force has also been embroiled in legal battles, with a former member suing the chairman over the seizure of mining equipment worth N200 million.

Effiong highlighted the environmental impact of illegal mining, including deforestation, water pollution, and land degradation in communities such as Yakurr, Akamkpa, Biase, Boki, Ikom, and Obanliku. He vowed to continue the campaign against illegal mining to protect the state's environment.