The Chairman of the Cross River State Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce Committee, Prince Paul Effiong, has issued a final warning to illegal miners and their backers, announcing the launch of Operation No Mercy to tackle escalating violence linked to mining activities in parts of the state.

Effiong, who had earlier warned about the rise of armed illegal miners in the central and southern zones, said the situation has now degenerated into a full-blown security crisis.

“We are appalled by the escalating violence and lawlessness perpetrated by illegal miners,” he said.

He cited the recent killing of a woman on her farm in Obubra and the burning of a milling factory in Ikom as grim evidence of the dangers his committee had long warned against.

“These tragic incidents are reminders of what happens when such threats are ignored,” he lamented.

According to him, the taskforce had earlier raised the alarm over the security implications of illegal mining, particularly in Ikom and Obubra Local Government Areas, but the warnings went unheeded.

“We alerted the public and authorities about the dangers, but our calls fell on deaf ears,” Effiong stated.

Determined to restore order, Effiong declared that the taskforce would no longer watch helplessly while lives and property are destroyed.

“We are committed to protecting our people. Those responsible for these crimes will face justice,” he vowed.

He said the newly launched Operation No Mercy will be carried out in collaboration with security agencies to flush out illegal miners, their sponsors, and collaborators from the affected communities. “We will pursue them relentlessly until peace returns,” he warned.

The chairman also sent a strong message to community leaders who aid or shield the illegal miners.

“Anyone found sponsoring or harbouring them will be held accountable. No one is above the law,” he cautioned.

Effiong urged traditional rulers, youth leaders, and residents to cooperate with the taskforce to restore peace and protect the state’s natural resources from criminal exploitation.

“Our goal is to ensure that these resources benefit everyone, not a few violent profiteers,” he emphasized.

Issuing what he termed a “final warning,” Prince Effiong declared: “All illegal miners and their enablers must desist forthwith. Failure to comply will attract severe consequences. The era of impunity is over.”

Taskforce launches ‘Operation No Mercy’ as armed illegal miners unleash violence in Cross River