The individuals of Ifumkpa in Akamkpa LGA of Cross River State have raised the alarm over the big variety of overseas unlawful gold miners in the neighborhood.
Leaders of the group advised DAILY POST that the gold miners don’t pay any type of royalties.
They alleged that the foreigners have influenced their very own youths to show towards them, to the extent that any time they query the unlawful miners, the youths will beat them up and threaten their lives.
The village head of Ifumkpa group, Chief Cletus Ibuni, stated, “We don’t know these those that have invaded our group and brought over our forests within the identify of mining for gold. They’re so many, some, I’m advised are armed.
“They don’t hassle to debate with us. They don’t pay any royalties to us. They somewhat favor to take care of a few of our youths, influencing them.
“There was a time we challenged the scenario on the danger of our lives. The youths often overwhelmed and threatened us as a result of they’ve the vitality and backing of the massive males behind the gold mining.
“So in an effort to reside, we piped low.”
In line with the village head, they’ve reported the scenario to totally different authorities, together with the state authorities, Minister of Mines and Metal and even the Cross River Nationwide Park Service, CRNP, with none headway.
He added that they’re conscious of unlawful wooden logging in the neighborhood.
“We’re conscious of the tree falling by timber sellers in our group. They pay us ‘gate charge’ of N5,000 earlier than they exit with the logs.
“With this assortment, we now have been in a position to grade our entry highway to the Ikom federal freeway,” he stated.
Investigations revealed that an oz of uncooked gold is offered for N70,000 at close by Tipper Storage.
The Cross River Conservator of Parks, Mrs Caroline Olory, stated CRNP Forest Rangers together with troopers have carried out surveillance actions within the forest, throughout which some arrests have been made.
