EXCLUSIVE: How Desperate Politicians Sponsor Illegal Mining Activities in Cross River
Agoi Ekpo and Agoi Ibami communities have come under siege as politically-backed illegal miners threaten legitimate operators and License owners, THE BEAGLES NEWS can authouritatively reveal.
Agoi Ekpo and Agoi Ibami communities in Yakurr local government area of Cross River state have become battlegrounds for mining rights as desperate politicians are accused of allegedly sponsoring illegal mining activities in clear violation of the Nigerian Mining Act 2007.
The latest reports indicate that a legally acquired mining site operated by Arittgray Nigeria Limited and Hairlequin Creation Ltd has been unlawfully invaded by groups of individuals mostly from Northern Nigeria in their thousands backed by influential figures within and outside the community.
The villagers alleged that these individuals first invaded the legally recognised mining site in early October 2024 to commence illegal mining operations.
When confronted and asked to desist, they reportedly returned on January 3, 2025, armed with weapons and forcefully chased away the legitimate operators.
The attacks have left workers in fear for their lives as the assailants have allegedly vowed to kill or maim them at the slightest opportunity.
Speaking, one of the villagers, Justine Akpama, wonders how these illegal miners in their thousands from the Northern part of the Country were able to enter the state through the border states of Benue and Ebonyi without being intercepted by the security agencies if they were not being sponsored by the high and mighty as alleged.
"We call on relevant government agencies to intervene to save their lives and restore order as well as ensure that the rule of law is upheld.
"We warn that if left unchecked, these hoodlums could destabilize the community and set a dangerous precedent for land and resource disputes across the state."
When contacted, the management of Arittgray Nigeria Limited and Hairlequin Creation speaking through the Managing Director, Engineer Israel Uboh, confirmed invasions by the illegal miners, sayong the company is doing a lot to expel them as about 46 persons have been arrested and charged to court.
Uboh noted that the support of the security agencies will be highly needed to checkmate the influx of these miscreants from outside the state as their illegal activities have denied the state and federal governments of the revenues that would have accrued to them.
He further restated the commitment of the company to finding a lasting resolution of the crisis, emphasing that their projects are designed to benefit not just their companies but also the Agoi Nation communities and Cross River State at large.
In an interview, some of the stakeholders told THE BEAGLE NEWS that they are closely watching to see if the federal and Cross River State governments would take decisive actions against the alleged politically backed illegal mining syndicates.
According to them, "our communities of Agoi Nation, who are already bearing the brunt of activities of these illegal miners, await justice before the violence spirals further out of control."
