By Abdullahi Lukman
The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has accused the Cross River State Government of failing to enforce its ban on illegal logging, warning that continued inaction in Ekuri, Ikom and surrounding forest communities could signal “complicity” by powerful actors in the state.
The environmental group issued the criticism after visiting Old and New Ekuri in response to renewed appeals from residents over unchecked logging.
RDI said illegal loggers have devastated the 33,600-hectare Ekuri Forest—once a model of community-led conservation—destroying timber, African mahogany and other species while driving apes and forest elephants deeper into shrinking safe habitats.
Indigenous fruits and vegetables, including bush mango, are increasingly scarce. The crisis was highlighted in the 2025 Global Witness Annual Defenders Report.
Executive Director, Philip Jakpor, condemned the state’s failure to uphold its own ban, noting that Ekuri has lost an estimated 20 percent of its original forest cover.
He said the abandoned 2016 superhighway project opened access routes that now enable unlicensed loggers to operate with impunity. Jakpor suggested that the scale and boldness of the operations indicate backing from influential individuals.
He added that local suffering is worsened by poor road access and the absence of basic services such as electricity. RDI called for an immediate halt to illegal logging in Ekuri and Ikom and demanded the arrest and prosecution of operators and their enablers.
Jakpor said the government must “match words with action” to clear itself of complicity and protect forest communities.
