Over 2000 Fulani Illegal Miners Invade Boki Forests As Communities Cry Out For Help
By Ndifereke BASSEY
Over two thousand Fulani Illegal Miners have invaded Boki forests in search of solid minerals, THE BEAGLE NEWS can authouritatively reveal.
The illegal miners, who arrived in three trucks last Thursday and were dumped at Okwa 1 and 2 and Ukwango communities in Boki local government area and are already scattered into the forests in search of minerals.
Sources close to the communities confided in THE BEAGLES NEWS said the first batch were mostly women and children and then at the weekend young men and some adults arrived and were carrying matchers, arrows and bows as well as some dangerous weapons for protection.
It was learnt that some of these communities have not been able to go to their farms for fear of being attacked by these invaders.
A community leader, who simply gave his name as Abang, said: "We woke one morning last week and saw truck load of Fulanis entering our forests. The first batch was mostly women and children numbering over 500.
"The second batch came in two trucks and loaded with young men and some adults all carrying diggers, arrows, machetes and personal belongings. This set were dumped at Ukwango forest axis."
According to Abang, " we are trying to mobilise our people at home and outside to see how we can comb the forests and dislodge these illegal miners because once they settle down we cannot send them away anymore.
"We have made representation to state government and are waiting for their response before we launch attack. We don't want Boki to be like Zamfara state. They should allow our solid minerals to rest. We call for action to save our forests."
A community source, however, revealed that some of migrants have been chased out from Okwa 2 forest's axis.
Recall that the Cross River State House of Assembly has called on the State Government, through its relevant agencies, to stop the activities of Fulani migrants engaged in illegal mining in Okwa 1 and 2 and Ukwango in Boki Local Government Area.
The Assembly further resolved that, security agents to be deployed to the affected communities to arrest and prosecute the Fulani miners while advocacy groups should be engaged to educate community leaders on the ills of allowing illegal mining in their communities.
The House of Assembly resolution was as a result of Matter of Urgent Public Importance on the encroachment of Fulanis in Okwa 1 and 2 and Ukwango communities in Boki LGA, sponsored by the Member representing Boki 1 State Constituency, Hon Bette Philip Obi.
Obi, who is the Chairman House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, disclosed that, a large influx of unidentified Fulanis, estimated to be over one thousand (1000) have entered the Boki communities in pursuit of solid minerals.
According to him, "these Fulanis have been carrying out illicit gold mining within the Government Reserved Area Boki forests."
The Lawmaker expressed concern about the well-being of his constituents, adding that the communities are now facing crisis as the influx of the Fulanis have exceeded the number of indigenes just as they now live in fear.
