100 Illegal Miners From The Sahel Arrested In Nigeria

About 100 illegal miners suspected to have migrated from the Sahel Savannah region of Africa have been arrested in Cross River State.

The illegal miners were allegedly invading Yakurr local government area communities, and their followed a sting operation led by the Cross River State Security Adviser, Maj. General (retd) O. U. Obono.

The security operatives were assisted by some locals which overwhelmed the illegal miners in their bid to escape from a checkpoint close to Ugep community in Yakurr local government area of the state.

They reportedly boarded several empty trucks which drove pass through the area onward the state capital Calabar.

“I think the young men apprehended by the authorities are between the ages of 20 to 27 years. They were arrested with diggers, shovels, and earth drilling machines”, a source said.

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“These people are not Nigerians even though some claimed to be Nigerians. These guys are suspected to have come from Chad, Niger and probably Sudan.

“They are sponsored by faceless individuals to invade our community. They are not only found here, I am told confidently that they are also in Akamkpa local government area, around the National Park axis, always armed with AK-47 riffles during mineral exploitation”

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Cross River State, SP Irene Ugbo, confirmed the arrest, stating:

“They are going to be profiled and those without papers would be repatriated back to wherever they are coming from.”