The Attah of Agoi Ibami community in Yakurr LGA of Cross River State, Michael Onun has expressed fears over his safety and that of his subjects due to innumerable numbers of strange men, most of them illegal miners in his community.
He said their sheer presence has overwhelmed his people.
In an exclusive interview, he alleged that following the discovery of gold and other precious stones in his community, there has been an influx of assorted people, including minors who have come to access the precious stones.
He said he had only signed consent letters to a handful of recognised and licensed miners who never utilized the consent.
“But thousands of persons who I dont know have been flocking into Agoi Ekpo since the last months without authorisation. They’re in the bushes doing mining.
“There’s one Sulaiman Isa who is at the fore front. I don’t know him. He is powerful.”
The traditional ruler complained that he had severally drawn the attention of federal and state offices of mines, as well as Nigeria Immigration Service and other security agencies yet, there has not been any arrests.
He alleged a collusion between influential persons and even natives.
“We need security agencies to contain these people. These illegal miners must be told clearly that they must not undermine the authorities and should do the right thing.”
But one chieftain from neighbouring Nko community, Fred Okoi Otosi said, “As we speak, the number of illegal miners inside Agoi Ekpo forest are more than 10,000 people.
“It requires corporate measures not just with security operatives but the youths and the local government authorities to ensure that these people who hide in the bush are all evacuated. Every hours of the morning, the whole of Ikom- Calabar federal road from the slaughter to the site is littered with thousands of these men.”
He said he had an interaction yesterday on the operation of the illegal miners.
“I gathered that few persons have the licence to enter these mining sites.
“However, these licencees collect money from other persons who now import these guys to the sites.
“There is no hotel in Ugep, a major town in Yakurr LGA where these guys are not found.
“The 5 day ultimatum that was given by the state security adviser, Gen Obono Ubi, for them to move out of the forests was adhered to but many remained in the bush even more than those who came out of the bush.”
Otosi said he had earlier raised the alarm about the coming of the myriad of persons but was ignored, and taken as a social media noise.
Otosi called for serious security intervention backed with action, alleging that there are suspected saboteurs aiding the illegal miners and benefitting from their activities.