Insecurity: Army deploys personnel to C’River communities to stop Sahelian invasion 

From, Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

Army tanks and personnel have been dispatched into some communities of Yakurr LGA of Cross River State where suspected foreign nationals and illegal miners from the Sahel region of West Africa, particularly Mali,  Niger Republic  and other Hausa men from northern Nigeria, have reportedly trooped in large numbers, constituting security threats and devastating communal lands.

Natives have also reported that a number of armoured tanks were sighted in Ugep, a major town in Yakurr LGA, to Okomiba and Akpa Plantation as well as Agoi communities of Agoi Ekpo, Ekom Agoi, Agom Ibam.

Executive Chairman of Yakurr LGA, Yibala Igiri Inyang confirmed this in a chat with our correspondent 

He said the three truckloads of soldiers and the armoured tanks are to help in the enforcement of the operational plan by the security agencies since the reports of  mass arrivals of the armed Sahelians about two weeks ago.

 He said in the chat that, “We are careful not to direct full military invasion of those communities that are harbouring these miscreants and illegal miners because of its negative effect” . 

“As a government, we have deployed various diplomatic ways of negotiations with the chiefs, youths and stakeholders for the past two months”.  

“We are not resting on our oars in ensuring that our forest and communities are rid of all the illegal miners and miscreants masquerading as mining labourers.”

The Council chairman stated that the state security adviser, Major General Obono and other security chiefs are up and about.

A community leader who gave his name as Mr Augustine Eteng said due to the very large number of these armed foreigners, there has been fears,  apprehension and tension.

According to him, soldiers were already rounding up  good numbers of these strange men.

He disclosed that their youths are mobilizing into militia groups to counter activities of the strangers.

“The increasing presence has caused a sense of unease among my people who worry about the potential consequences of their activities. 

“The gravity of the situation is that my friend informed me of the youths planning to select a group of individuals associated with a cult group to confront the illegal miners. 

“While it may seem like a proactive approach to protect our land, the involvement of cultists could spiral into violence and further complicate the issue.”

A youth leader, Magnus Mbang said the situations in these communities are disturbing.

“The situation of this Hausa miners in our forests, specifically around the Lokpoi River is very alarming” 

He described a scene that paints a troubling picture of exploitation and environmental degradation. 

He mentioned that a significant number of ‘Hausa miners’ have set up camps in the forest, constructing tents and bringing in machineries.

“This influx of miners has raised critical concerns not just about the environmental impact but also about the safety and security of the  community.”

“Two days ago, two buses filled with these miners arrived in the community all to illegally exploit our natural resources.” at this point, the community’s natural resources are not safe”, he maintained.