Cross River Anti-illegal Mining Task Force has discovered a tunnel in Alesi Community, Ikom local government area, where illegal mining activities are carried out.
The illegal miners, who included Chinese nationals, abandoned the tunnel upon learning of the task force’s visit.
Speaking during the tunnel inspection, the chairman of the taskforce, Prince Paul Effiong, vowed to combat illegal mining in the state.
“Running away won’t stop the problem, all we are saying is that they should come out from their hiding place and report themselves to the committee.
“They shouldn’t allow us look for them otherwise the consequences will be grievous.
“As a committee, we are passionate and committed to ending illegal mining. Our treasures cannot be carried away like that by a few mining through the backdoor.
“The war against all illegal mining activity will continue until we put an end to it. And those involved in this act are fished out and brought to book,” Effiong warned.
The chairman asked community residents to report every illegal mining activity to the committee, which is ready to ensure that the right thing is done.
“You cannot go about destroying the environment without coming to identify with the state or federal government on the guise of mining iron ore , tamoulin or gold , degrading the environment without letting the state or federal government have an idea of what you are doing in that regard,” he maintained.
