NSCDC raids illegal mining site, arrests two armed suspects in Yakurr
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Cross River State Command, has arrested two suspects allegedly linked to an armed syndicate accused of terrorising licensed miners and illegally taking over a mining site in Agba Iyam, Yakurr Local Government Area of the state. State Commandant, Okarama Chuna, disclosed this while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Calabar on Wednesday. According to him, operatives stormed the mining site following credible information from members of the public and arrested 34-year-old Stephen Ibang Francis and 24-year-old Oduwo Emmanuel Obasi, both natives of Nkpani village in Yakurr. Chuna said the suspects were found with two locally fabricated firearms and 16 rounds of live ammunition. He explained that investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly operated as armed enforcers targeting legitimate miners, using firearms to intimidate and force them out of the site before taking control of the area and illegally extracting and carting away solid minerals. The commandant described the operation as a major breakthrough in the Corps’ ongoing efforts to tackle illegal mining and the activities of economic saboteurs in the state.
Chuna warned illegal miners and armed groups operating in the forests of Cross River State that the Corps would intensify its crackdown on criminal activities linked to mining. He said the era of using unauthorised weapons to intimidate legitimate miners and investors was over, stressing that solid minerals remained critical national assets. The commandant assured licensed miners that the NSCDC would provide the necessary security to enable them operate peacefully and contribute to the state’s economic development. He added that investigations were still ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the alleged syndicate who fled the scene. The suspects and recovered exhibits are currently in custody, while the commandant said they had made useful statements. According to him, they would be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction after investigations are concluded for alleged illegal mining, unlawful possession of firearms and intimidation. Chuna also commended members of the public for providing the information that led to the arrests, urging residents to continue sharing credible intelligence with security agencies to help protect their communities.
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