By: Odeh Favour Adiya
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Cross River State Command, have arrested two suspects allegedly linked to an armed syndicate terrorising licensed miners in Yakurr Local Government Area of the state.
The State Commandant, Okarama Chuna, disclosed this while parading the suspects before journalists at the command headquarters in Calabar on Wednesday.
Chuna revealed that corps operatives stormed an illegal mining site at Agba Iyam in Yakurr LGA following actionable intelligence received from members of the public.
“During the raid, operatives apprehended Stephen Ibang Francis, 34, and Oduwo Emmanuel Obasi, 24, both natives of Nkpani village in Yakurr LGA,” the Commandant said.
Items recovered from the suspects include two locally fabricated firearms and 16 rounds of live ammunition.
Investigations showed that the suspects acted not only as illegal miners but also as armed enforcers who converted the site into a locus of intimidation and violence.
“They use these weapons to systematically terrorise, intimidate and violently displace genuine miners from the site.
Once legal operators flee out of fear for their lives, these criminals take over and work collaboratively over the site to illegally mine and cart away precious solid minerals,” Chuna explained.
Describing the operation as a major breakthrough in the command’s aggressive kinetic drive against economic saboteurs, the NSCDC chief issued a stern warning to other illegal syndicates operating within the state’s forests.
“There will be no era of intimidating legitimate investors and plundering our commonwealth. That era is over.
Solid minerals constitute critical national assets,” he declared.
“To those who think they can bear unauthorised arms to intimidate lawful miners and investors, we have superior firepower, we have the intelligence network, and we have the will to crush them,” he added.
Assuring licensed miners of adequate protection to carry out their legitimate businesses safely, Chuna disclosed that the suspects will be charged to a court of competent jurisdiction for illegal mining, unlawful possession of firearms, and intimidation once investigations are concluded.
He further commended members of the public for providing credible tips, urging them to maintain the partnership to help safeguard their local communities.
