The people of Ifumkpa in Akamkpa LGA of Cross River State have raised the alarm over the large number of foreign illegal gold miners in the community.
Leaders of the community told news reporters that the gold miners do not pay any form of royalties.
They alleged that the foreigners have influenced their own youths to turn against them, to the extent that any time they question the illegal miners, the youths will beat them up and threaten their lives.
The village head of Ifumkpa community, Chief Cletus Ibuni, said, “We don’t know these people that have invaded our community and taken over our forests in the name of mining for gold. They are so many, some, I’m told are armed.
“They don’t bother to discuss with us. They don’t pay any royalties to us. They rather prefer to deal with some of our youths, influencing them.
“There was a time we challenged the situation at the risk of our lives. The youths usually overwhelmed and threatened us because they have the energy and backing of the big men behind the gold mining.
“So in order to live, we piped low.”
According to the village head, they have reported the situation to different authorities, including the state government, Minister of Mines and Steel and even the Cross River National Park Service, CRNP, without any headway.
He added that they are aware of illegal wood logging in the community.
We’re aware of the tree falling by timber dealers in our community. They pay us ‘gate fee’ of N5,000 before they exit with the logs.
“With this collection, we have been able to grade our access road to the Ikom federal highway,” he said.
Investigations revealed that an ounce of raw gold is sold for N70,000 at nearby Tipper Garage.
The Cross River Conservator of Parks, Mrs Caroline Olory, said CRNP Forest Rangers along with soldiers have carried out surveillance actions in the forest, during which some arrests were made.