17 ARTISAN MINERS ARRESTED FOR ENCROACHING ON CROSS RIVER NATIONAL PARK
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
About 17 artisanal miners have been arrested in Cross River State for allegedly operating illegally within the Cross River National Park.
The suspects, who were arrested by the park’s Special Anti-Poaching Squad, are from Ekuri Eyenyen and Etara communities in Etung Local Government Area.
The Conservator of Parks, CP Joseph Ntui, disclosed the arrests in Calabar on Tuesday, saying the operation followed actionable intelligence.
Ntui said mining, hunting, logging, farming and other activities were prohibited within the national park, warning that such activities posed serious risks to the environment and surrounding communities.
He added that mining activities had polluted streams and farmlands around Etara and Ekuri Eyenyen, leaving residents with limited access to safe drinking water.
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The conservator also alleged that mining licences had been issued for areas within the national park by the Mining Cadastre Office in Abuja and the Federal Mines Office in Calabar.
However, the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Effiom-Ekaha Otu, said the ministry was aware of B4LIVE, a company owned by Ekpo Mbang Eno and licensed by the Federal Government, noting that the licence might have overlapped with reserved areas.
The suspects are expected to be charged to court, while stakeholders have called on relevant authorities to conduct proper checks before issuing mining licences in protected areas.
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