By Kelvin Obambon
The Cross River State Government has issued a stern warning to communities, traditional institutions, and individuals involved in the unauthorized sale, allocation, lease, and transfer of land within the state’s forest reserves, declaring all such transactions completely null and void.
The warning was contained in a press release issued on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Cross River State Forestry Commission (CRSFC), Ntufam Rt. Hon. George O’Ben-Etchi, PhD.
According to the Commission, there has been a concerning rise in the illegal encroachment and monetization of protected lands across the state by certain individuals and groups. It emphasized that these actions directly violate state laws, which vest the exclusive ownership and management control of all forest reserves in the Cross River State Government.
READ ALSO: Soludo’s wife demands justice for 10-year-old boy allegedly brutalized by guardians
“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 the sustainable management of the State’s Forest resources,” statement reads.
The Forestry Commission has directed all communities, traditional leaders, and groups currently engaged in the illegal transfer of these lands to desist immediately.
Furthermore, the government reached out to the private sector and general public, advising individuals, corporate bodies, and organizations who have already purchased or are currently negotiating to acquire land within the reserves that their transactions hold no legal standing and confer zero ownership rights.
The Commission warned that defiance of this directive will be met with severe legal consequences, as the state government plans to deploy strict enforcement measures, which include the immediate recovery of all illegally acquired lands and assets, full investigations into transactions, and the criminal prosecution of all individuals and entities found complicit.
To ensure immediate compliance, the Chairman has mandated all Forestry Commissioners, Zonal Officers, Forest Officers, and Chief Rangers across the state to strictly enforce the directive.
O’Ben-Etchi reiterated that the crackdown highlights the Commission’s strong commitment to protecting the state’s rich forest heritage and safeguarding critical ecosystems for both present and future generations.
