A community in Ifumkpa, located in Akamkpa LGA of Cross River State, is facing a crisis due to the increasing presence of foreign illegal gold miners.
According to local leaders speaking to NewsNow, these miners operate without paying any royalties to the community.
The community leaders have raised alarm that these foreign miners have managed to influence the local youths against them. As a result, whenever the community questions the activities of the illegal miners, the youths retaliate by physically assaulting them and issuing threats.
Chief Cletus Ibuni, the village head of Ifumkpa community, expressed his concern, stating, “We are unfamiliar with the individuals who have come into our community and taken control of our forests under the guise of gold mining. They are numerous, and some are reportedly armed.
“They show no interest in engaging with us. They neglect to pay any royalties to the community. Instead, they choose to collaborate with select youths, influencing them.
“There was a time we tried to address the situation despite the risks to our lives. However, the youths consistently overpowered us and posed threats because of the support they receive from influential figures involved in the gold mining activities.
“Therefore, we have resorted to maintaining a low profile to ensure our safety.”
The village head mentioned that they have reached out to various authorities, including the state government, Ministry of Mines and Steel, and even the Cross River National Park Service (CRNP), but have not seen any progress in addressing the issue.
He also noted that they are aware of illegal logging activities taking place in the community.
“We are cognizant of the tree felling by timber merchants in our community. They pay a ‘gate fee’ of N5,000 before transporting the logs out.
“Through this revenue, we have managed to improve our access road to the Ikom federal highway,” he explained.
Reports indicate that a raw gold ounce is being sold for N70,000 at the nearby Tipper Garage.
Caroline Olory, the Cross River Conservator of Parks, mentioned that CRNP Forest Rangers, in collaboration with soldiers, have conducted surveillance operations in the forest, leading to several arrests being made.