NSCDC Arrests Two Suspects With Guns, Live Ammunition Over Alleged Attack on Miners in Cross River

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two men allegedly linked to an armed syndicate accused of terrorising licensed miners and taking over a mining site in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The suspects, identified as 34-year-old Stephen Ibang Francis and 24-year-old Oduwo Emmanuel Obasi, were arrested during a raid on a mining site in Agba Iyam, following intelligence provided by members of the public.

Cross River State NSCDC Commandant, Okarama Chuna, disclosed the arrests while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Calabar on Wednesday.

According to Chuna, operatives recovered two locally fabricated firearms and 16 rounds of live ammunition from the suspects during the operation. Both men are said to be from Nkpani village in Yakurr LGA.

The commandant alleged that the suspects operated as armed enforcers, using weapons to intimidate legitimate miners and force them away from the site. He said the syndicate would then take control of the mining area and illegally extract and transport solid minerals.

“They use these weapons to systematically terrorise, intimidate and violently displace the genuine miners from the site,” Chuna said, adding that the operation was part of the command’s wider campaign against illegal mining and the plundering of Cross River’s mineral resources.

Chuna warned illegal miners and armed groups operating in the state’s forests that the NSCDC would intensify its crackdown. He said licensed miners and legitimate investors would receive security protection while investigations continue to identify and arrest other members of the alleged syndicate.

The suspects and recovered weapons remain in custody and have reportedly provided useful information to investigators. Chuna said the suspects would be prosecuted after investigations are concluded for alleged illegal mining, unlawful possession of firearms and intimidation.

The commandant also appealed to residents to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies, saying public cooperation remains vital to protecting communities and legitimate mining operations.