Commercial motorists and motorcyclists, popularly called Okada riders in Abi LGA of Cross River State have been accused of surreptitiously linking and guiding armed men from the Sahelian region as well as illegal miners into forest communities.
Over 10,000 illegal miners are reported to have penetrated several communities in Yakurr, Biase and Akamkpa LGAs in the last two months, leading to security crises.
Security agencies in the state have risen to the steady flow of illegal activities, leading to ongoing massive arrests.
Chairman of the Abi LGA, Egbala Bassey, in a statement signed by his special adviser on peace and security, Francis Okpa has issued an order for immediate arrest, profiling and impounding of any individual or group as well as seizure of their means of conveyance which are found to be complicit.
According to him, the commercial transporters facilitate the covet movement of unregistered persons through authorized internal community routes.
As a result, Egbala said they were circumventing the rigorous checks established by army guard commands stationed at Ediba and Itigidi highways and other roads.
In his statement, Egbala said, “In the light of state government strict measures to combat the unlawful influx of illegal miners into various mining sites within Cross River State, we wish to emphasise the commitment of security personnel along entry/exit route of Abi LGA to enforce these directives without compromise.”
He called on all community leaders, union representatives and the general public to be seriously guided as security agencies will not spare culprits.