The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Cross River State Command, has arrested two men accused of using locally fabricated firearms to intimidate licensed miners and take over mining sites in Yakurr Local Government Area.
The suspects, identified as 34-year-old Stephen Ibiang Francis and 24-year-old Gideon Emmanuel Okoi, were arrested during an operation at a mining site in Agoi Ibami, Yakurr LGA, on August 19, 2026.
The State Commandant of the NSCDC, CC Okarazu Chima, disclosed the development on Wednesday while parading the suspects at the Command’s headquarters in Calabar.
According to him, the operation followed credible information received from members of the public concerning activities at the mining site.
The two suspects, both natives of Nkpani village in Yakurr, were reportedly found with two locally fabricated firearms and materials suspected to be charms.
The NSCDC said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly operated as armed enforcers, using weapons to threaten and drive licensed miners away from the site before taking over the area for illegal mining activities.
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The Commandant said the suspects and their alleged associates would force legitimate operators to flee for their safety before illegally extracting and removing valuable solid minerals from the site.
He described the arrests as a significant breakthrough in the command’s ongoing operations against illegal mining and other activities threatening Cross River State’s mineral resources.
Okarazu warned illegal miners and armed groups operating across the state to desist from intimidating legitimate investors and exploiting the state’s natural resources without authorisation.
He assured licensed miners that the NSCDC would continue to provide the necessary security to enable them operate safely and contribute to the state’s economic development.
The two suspects remain in custody and have reportedly made useful statements to investigators. The NSCDC said investigations are continuing to identify the alleged manufacturers of the firearms and apprehend other members of the suspected syndicate who are still at large.
The suspects are expected to face prosecution after investigations are concluded for alleged offences including illegal possession of firearms, armed intimidation and illegal mining.
The NSCDC also commended members of the public whose information contributed to the arrests and urged residents to continue reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.
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