Cross River State Forestry Commission Cracks Down On Illegal

The Cross River State Forestry Commission (CRSFC) has raised alarm over increasing threats to its forest ecosystems, warning that illegal logging, mining activities, and unauthorised land transactions are placing severe pressure on one of Nigeria’s most important rainforest reserves.

Key Highlights

• Cross River State Forestry Commission warns against illegal forest reserve transactions
• Rising threats from logging, mining, and agricultural expansion
• All sales, leases, or allocations within forest reserves declared illegal
• Enforcement orders issued to forestry officers across the state
• Cross River forest holds over 50% of Nigeria’s remaining tropical rainforest

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Ntufam Rt. Hon. George O’Ben-Etchi, said the agency is increasingly concerned about the growing rate of encroachment into protected forest areas across the state.

He issued a strong warning to communities, individuals, and groups involved in the sale, lease, or transfer of forest reserve lands, declaring all such transactions illegal and void under existing laws.

According to him, ownership and control of all forest reserves remain exclusively vested in the Cross River State Government, meaning no private individual or organisation has legal authority to sell or acquire such lands.

The Commission described the trend as a major threat to biodiversity conservation efforts and sustainable forest management in the state.

“The Commission strongly condemns this unlawful practice, as it threatens the integrity of protected forest areas and undermines ongoing efforts to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable management of the State’s forest resources,” the statement said.

CRSFC directed all communities, traditional rulers, individuals, and companies involved in such activities to immediately stop all illegal transactions involving forest reserve lands.

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It further warned that any individual or organisation that has already purchased or is attempting to acquire land within forest reserves does so at no legal standing, as such agreements are null and void.

The Commission also cautioned that violators risk strict enforcement actions, including land recovery, seizure of assets, and prosecution of all parties involved.

To strengthen compliance, Commissioners, Zonal Officers, Forest Officers, and Chief Rangers have been instructed to intensify monitoring and enforcement operations across all forest reserves in Cross River State.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the state’s forest heritage and safeguarding critical ecosystems for future generations.

Cross River State is home to more than half of Nigeria’s remaining tropical rainforest, hosting globally significant biodiversity, including the critically endangered Cross River gorilla and the Nigeria–Cameroon chimpanzee.