The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has launched an investigation into allegations of illegal logging in Ekuri community forests in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The action followed petitions by civil society organisations, the Rainforest Resource & Development Centre (RRDC) and the Panacea for Developmental and Infrastructural Challenges for Africa Initiative (PADIC-Africa), which accused Ezemac International Limited of carrying out unauthorised logging activities in Old and New Ekuri forests.
In the petitions, RRDC, led by its Executive Director, Prince Odey Oyama, and PADIC-Africa, headed by Dr. Martins Egot, a community leader in New Ekuri, alleged that, between January 9 and 12, 2026, Ezemac deployed heavy machinery into the community forest without consent or lawful forest allocation.
They claimed that two bulldozers, an excavator and four to five heavy-duty trucks were moved into the forest to fell mature trees within what they described as a protected ecological corridor, adding that the operations were unplanned, unsustainable and lacked valid export authorisation.
RRDC called on NESREA to carry out an urgent compliance and enforcement inspection, investigate the company’s export-related activities, and assess its compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Act and the NESREA Act.
The group urged the agency to impose sanctions where violations are established, warning that failure to act could undermine existing presidential directives on logging.
In a similar petition, PADIC-Africa alleged that community forest governance in Ekuri was being undermined through intimidation, claiming that law enforcement actions appeared to favour corporate interests over environmental protection and community rights.
Dr. Egot said the New Ekuri community was demanding the immediate withdrawal of all Ezemac equipment from the forest, a transparent investigation into the legality of the company’s activities, an independent environmental damage assessment, and an injunction restraining the company and its agents from accessing the forest pending the conclusion of investigations.
Confirming the investigation, the Director and State Coordinator of NESREA, Comrade Raymond Anunobi, said officials of the agency were in Cross River State on the directive of the Director-General, Prof. Innocent Barikor, to verify the allegations contained in the petitions.
“We are here to ensure that environmental laws are enforced and properly regulated. We assure Nigerians that justice will be done,” Anunobi said.
He warned that any individual or organisation found culpable would be sanctioned in line with the law, adding that NESREA had commenced its mandatory investigation process. He also urged communities and civil society groups to promptly report environmental violations to the agency to enable timely intervention.
Responding to the allegations, the Chief Executive Officer of Ezemac International Limited, Mr. Ezenwa Igwe, denied any wrongdoing, insisting that his company was not involved in illegal logging in the New Ekuri protected community forest.
“I have a permit. I generate revenue for both the state and local governments, and I employ over 180 workers across Cross River State. I operate a standard factory,” Igwe said.
He also denied logging for export, stating that all processing is done within the state. “I recycle my wood and do not take timber outside Cross River. I process my wood in Ugep where I make doors. If my operations were illegal, the Forestry Commission would not issue me documents or allow me to operate,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State House of Assembly is expected to meet with all parties on January 27, 2026, to hear from them and work towards resolving the dispute.
By Stina Ezin, Calabar