Taskforce Committee recovers 24 AK-47 rifles from illegal miners in Cross River
Cross River State Anti-Illegal Mining Committee Taskforce has recovered 24 AK-47 rifles from illegal miners in the state.
The taskforce chairman, Mr. Paul Effiong disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Sunday 20th July in Calabar.
Effiong who spoke shortly after a thanksgiving ceremony organized in his honour to mark his 40 years anniversary at The Fountain of Rehoboth Ministry, WAPI Junction Calabar stated that he cannot be intimidated by threat of illegal miners, warning those perpetrating the illegal activity to steer clear from mining sites not allocated to them
He revealed that the taskforce has faced physical attacks, including instances where hoodlums hiding in the forest has dispossessed security agents of their weapons, only to be apprehended by his committee members and handed over to security agents.
Effiong also disclosed that he and his family members have been involved in three accidents in one week tracing the mishaps to the challenges of stepping on toes of billionaires engaged in illegal mining activities.
He stressed that the major players in illegal mining are billionaires who finance hoodlums to disrupt operations of the taskforce.
“Apart from the physical attack, I also had 3 accidents, my mother, my wife and daughter were also in accidents all in one week.
“You can see how difficult it is to wrestle with billionaires who constituted the major players in the illegal mining.
He said “We had instances where hoodlums kept in the forest by financiers of illegal mining activity dispossessed security agents of their weapons”.
The Taskforce Chairman advised public officials in difficult positions to prioritize God and seek divine guidance to succeed.
He emphasized the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges, citing his own experience in fighting against illegal mining activities in the State.
Pastor Douglas Vincent, General Overseer of Rehoboth Centre Calabar, warned him to be wary of sycophants who might praise him to destruction if he loses guard.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
