Cross River State Governor Prohibits Unauthorized Mining, Directs Round-the-Clock Monitoring Following Exposé by PUNCH Newspaper

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has imposed an immediate ban on all unauthorized mining operations throughout the state, following a high-level meeting with key stakeholders in the industry.

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This ban, which excludes operators who have obtained legitimate federal approvals, is intended to establish order and transparency in a sector that has been increasingly linked to security and environmental concerns.

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As reported by PUNCH Online on December 22, 2025, the proliferation of illegal mining in Cross River State has resulted in significant revenue losses for the government, widespread destruction of ecosystems, and exposed workers to hazardous conditions.

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Unregulated mining has been shown to trigger deforestation, soil degradation, and pose significant environmental, economic, and health risks to surrounding communities.

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Governor Otu emphasized that the state can no longer tolerate a sector with immense economic potential becoming a source of instability and social disruption, stating that the sector is crucial to the state's economic future.

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Otu noted that instead of generating prosperity for local communities, the mining sector is becoming a source of serious concern, and emphasized that wealth can still be created from mining, but it must be done ethically, legally, and with full responsibility.

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According to Otu, intelligence reports indicate a disturbing influx of unregulated operators, including foreign nationals, into mining communities, whose identities and activities are largely unknown to the state.

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Governor Otu expressed concern about the presence of strangers and aliens in various communities, stating that the state is unaware of the exact number of these operators and their activities.

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Otu also criticized some local actors for compounding the problem by facilitating illegal activities, citing instances where clan heads and village heads have become part of the problem.

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Prior to imposing the ban, the state government had attempted to address the issue through dialogue and collaboration with federal authorities, including security agencies responsible for monitoring mining operations.

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Governor Otu disclosed that he had personally initiated discussions with federal authorities and security agencies to strengthen monitoring in the sector, but the process has been slow and the few personnel deployed are insufficient.

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After months of patience and observation, Otu stressed that the state must take decisive action to protect its communities and natural resources, stating that the time for decisive action has now come.

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Governor Otu announced the new directive, declaring that all illegal mining activities must cease immediately across Cross River State, and instructed operators to report to the Ministry and be properly profiled before resuming any activities.