Cross River National Park: 17 Arrested for Illegal Mining, Licenses Issued

• Seventeen artisan miners were arrested for alleged encroachment within Cross River National Park by the park's Special Anti-Poaching Squad.
• The Conservator of Parks stated that mining activities in the protected area contravene both the National Park Service Act and the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act 2007.
• Officials acknowledge that some federal mining licenses, including one for a company linked to an alleged hirer, may inadvertently overlap with reserved national park land.
• The arrests highlight significant environmental damage, including polluted water sources, and underscore calls for improved due diligence and mapping by licensing authorities.
• The alleged hirer, Ekpo Mbang Eno, claims he was properly licensed and unaware of the restricted status of the area, advocating for clearer demarcation.

This situation highlights a critical regulatory conflict, as the issuance of mining licenses by federal agencies for operations within a designated national park directly contravenes established environmental protection laws.

Seventeen artisan miners have been apprehended within the Cross River National Park in Cross River State, following allegations of encroachment into the protected area. The arrests were carried out by the park's specialized Anti-Poaching Squad, with the individuals identified as hailing from the Ekuri Eyenyen and Etara communities in the Etung Local Government Area.

CP Joseph Ntui, the Conservator of Parks, confirmed the operation, stating that it was initiated based on actionable intelligence. He underscored that the national park is a strictly prohibited zone, where activities such as mining, hunting, logging, farm encroachment, and water poisoning are expressly forbidden. The arrested individuals are slated to face charges in court, with preliminary statements indicating they were allegedly hired by Ekpo Mbang Eno, who is reportedly a member of the Cross River State Anti-Illegal Mining Committee. This incident brings to the forefront the persistent challenge of illegal mining encroachment in ecologically sensitive regions.

Ntui further elaborated on the severe consequences of such activities, citing their far-reaching implications for regional security, the local economy, environmental degradation, and public health. He specifically pointed to the pollution of streams and agricultural lands in areas like Etara and Ekuri Eyenyen, which has deprived residents of vital sources of clean drinking water, highlighting the direct environmental and social costs of unregulated mining.

A significant point of contention emerged regarding the legality of mining operations within the park. CP Ntui alleged that mining licenses were being issued for activities inside the national park by both the Mining Cadastre Office in Abuja and the Federal Mines Office in Calabar. He asserted that such issuances are unacceptable, as they directly contravene the provisions of the National Park Service Act and violate Section 3, Subsection 2 of the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act 2007, along with its 2011 Regulation. This situation highlights a critical regulatory conflict, as the issuance of mining licenses by federal agencies for operations within a designated national park directly contravenes established environmental protection laws.

In response, Effiom-Ekaha Otu, the Commissioner for Mineral Resources, acknowledged that B4LIVE, a company registered by Ekpo Mbang Eno, holds a federal license. However, Otu conceded that it is plausible for such licenses to inadvertently overlap with reserved areas. He argued that if an overlap exists, it would be premature to label the indigenous miner as 'illegal,' suggesting that the Cadastral Office in Abuja should bear responsibility for such oversights. Otu also indicated that it falls upon the miner to report any discovered overlaps to the Cadastral Office.

Further investigation at the Federal Mines Office confirmed that B4Live Integrated Services had indeed been granted a small-scale mining lease covering two cadastral units in Ekuri, Etung LGA. Ayelabola Olubunmi, the Cross River State Federal Mines Officer, noted that such overlaps are not uncommon and that the National Park Service has reported similar cases previously. For his part, Ekpo Mbang Eno maintained that he was properly licensed and unaware that the area was a restricted zone until his arrest, advocating for clearer demarcation of protected areas. He also disputed the number of arrested miners, stating he employed 40 miners and 10 supervisors, while rangers encountered 67 individuals at the site, with community leaders having approved only 50.

This incident has prompted stakeholders to call for more rigorous due diligence from the Mining Cadastre Office in Abuja and the Federal Mines Office in Calabar before issuing licenses, particularly in areas that may be reserved or protected. An anonymous stakeholder voiced concerns that these recurring issues create significant problems for legitimate business owners, noting that complaints often meet with responses about meeting targets.

Another investor highlighted poor mapping by the Cadastral Office as a major challenge. The scale of cadastral units, equivalent to approximately 20 football pitches, makes it difficult for miners to precisely ascertain the boundaries of their leases, even if they know the starting point. This lack of clarity underscores the need for improved geographical information systems and inter-agency coordination to prevent future conflicts between mining operations and protected ecological zones.

This incident highlights the significant legal and compliance risks associated with mining operations in Nigeria, particularly where licenses may overlap with protected areas. Lawyers must advise clients on stringent due diligence to verify land status and avoid prosecution under the National Park Service Act and the Nigeria Minerals and Mining Act 2007, even if a license has been issued.

Source: Original reporting via Nigerian news sources.