Cross River Governor Bans Illegal Mining Following Investigative Report
By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has announced an immediate ban on all illegal mining activities across the state.
The decision follows a strategic meeting with stakeholders and aims to restore order to a sector plagued by environmental and security concerns.
The ban excludes only those operators who possess legitimate federal approvals. This move comes in direct response to an Online investigation from December 2025, which exposed how unregulated mining was depriving the state of revenue and destroying local ecosystems.
During a meeting in Calabar, Governor Otu stated that the state could no longer tolerate the instability caused by illegal mining. He noted that while the sector is vital for the state’s economic future, it must be managed legally and ethically to benefit the community.
The Governor highlighted a worrying influx of unregulated operators, including foreign nationals whose identities remain unknown to state authorities.
He emphasized the need to profile everyone working in the state to ensure they are not contributing to social disruption.
Otu also criticized certain local actors, including some clan and village heads, for facilitating these unregulated activities.
He warned that those within the communities who are part of the problem are complicating the state’s efforts to regulate the industry.
The state government had previously attempted to resolve these issues through dialogue with federal authorities and security agencies. However, the Governor noted that the deployment of rangers and other personnel has been too slow and insufficient to address the scale of the problem.
Governor Otu declared that the “time of grace” has ended and the government must now act decisively to protect natural resources. He ordered all illegal operators to vacate their locations immediately and report for proper profiling before any future activity.
To ensure the ban is effective, the state has ordered 24-hour surveillance of mining sites. This comprehensive approach is designed to halt deforestation, soil degradation, and health risks posed to surrounding communities.
