Women from Ekuri community in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State have petitioned the state House of Assembly, raising alarm over the impact of illegal logging on their livelihoods and environment.

In a petition dated 26 March 2026 and addressed to Speaker, Elvert Ayambem, the women accused illegal loggers of degrading the Ekuri Forest and worsening socio-economic conditions.

A copy of the petition seen by NigeriaUpdates shows detailed complaints about forest depletion, harassment, and lack of enforcement of existing logging bans.Petition to CRSHA

The petition, jointly signed by community leaders including Mrs Lawrencia Agbor and others, described large-scale logging activities continuing despite a government ban.

“Honourable Speaker, every day more than 200 truckloads of timber and other exotic wood leave Ekuri forest and efforts by our people to halt this practice are met with harassment and intimidation by security personnel hired by the logging merchants.”

The women also said logging trucks have worsened the already poor road conditions in the area.

“Sometimes they break down in the middle of the road and remain there for days, making access by our people totally impossible.”

Why it matters

Ekuri Forest remains a major source of food, income, and traditional medicine for residents, particularly women.

The petition warned that continued deforestation is now creating food security risks and accelerating biodiversity loss.

The women cited estimates showing that about 91,000 tonnes of timber leave Cross River State annually due to illegal logging.

They also referenced findings from Global Forest Watch, which indicate that more than 540 square miles of tree cover had been lost in Ekuri and surrounding areas as of 2024.

Women bear the brunt

The petition stressed that women—mostly farmers—are the hardest hit by the crisis.

Many now travel longer distances into shrinking forest areas to find firewood, medicinal plants, and food resources.

Despite this, they say they are rarely included in decisions affecting forest management.

Calls for urgent action

The women urged the Assembly to take immediate steps, including:

Enforcing the existing ban on illegal logging

Defining and regulating legal logging practices

Partnering with conservation groups on reforestation

Repairing roads damaged by logging trucks

Ensuring women and youths are included in decision-making

They also appealed to the Speaker to intervene and halt what they described as worsening illegal activities.

Industry reaction

Reacting to the development, the Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) described the move as a major step by the women.

RDI Project Officer, Linda Amadi, said the petition reflects growing awareness and advocacy.

“We anticipate that the Cross River State House of Assembly will handle this issue with the seriousness it deserves. The forest sustains the Ekuri people and no one understands this better than the women.”

“They have asked for environmental justice and that is what they deserve. Anything short of this is unacceptable.”

What’s next

The Cross River State House of Assembly has yet to publicly respond to the petition.

Observers say the development could test the state’s commitment to enforcing environmental protections and supporting forest-dependent communities.

The Renevlyn Development Initiative (RDI) has called on federal and state governments in Nigeria to adopt gender-responsive strategies in tackling the country’s water crisis.

The appeal comes ahead of World Water Day 2026, marked globally on March 22, with the theme “Water and Gender” and campaign slogan “Where water flows, equality grows.”

In a statement issued in Lagos, RDI said current water challenges disproportionately affect women and girls, particularly in low-income and underserved communities.

Why it matters

According to global organisers, including UN Women and UNICEF, access to clean water is closely linked to gender equality.

Limited access often forces women and girls to travel long distances to fetch water, exposing them to physical strain, safety risks, and lost opportunities such as education.

RDI said the situation is not limited to rural areas but also affects major cities.

“A daily struggle for women and girls”

RDI Project Officer, Tracy Ohovwore, said the burden of water scarcity is evident across Nigeria.

“The situation in most communities across Nigeria readily comes to mind. The daily drudgery women and the girl child contend with due to the dry taps in their communities is real,” she said.

“Disturbingly the situation we describe is not only in the rural communities; in cities like Lagos and Abuja it is the same.”

She described the theme of this year’s commemoration as a “wake-up call” for authorities.

“That is why the theme of this year’s commemoration is a wake-up call to the government at all levels to be gender conscious in addressing the avoidable water challenges in the country.”

Impact on education, health and safety

Ohovwore noted that women and girls often bear the responsibility of sourcing water, sometimes at the expense of schooling.

“In many cases the girl child ends up not going to school to satisfy the home.”

She added that poor access to water also affects hygiene and health outcomes.

“When there’s no water, the physical hygiene of women also takes a hit, exposing them to disease and illness. So, the current systems are a lose-lose for women.”

Aligning with global development goals

RDI said Nigeria must prioritise women and girls in water solutions if it hopes to meet key global targets, including United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

These include SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

“We are in total alignment with the recommendation of the UN that women and girls are placed at the center of water solutions,” Ohovwore said.

Call for policy action

The organisation urged governments to move beyond rhetoric and implement practical reforms across the water sector.

“This year’s commemoration should not be mere sloganeering,” Ohovwore insisted.

“The government must be deliberate in adopting gender-responsive strategies and they must cover the whole gamut from water management, water governance, and in the development and siting of water infrastructure.”

What’s next

Experts say addressing Nigeria’s water challenges will require coordinated investment in infrastructure, improved governance, and inclusive policy design.

Advocates are also calling for stronger community engagement to ensure that women who are most affected are involved in decision-making processes.

The Nigeria Customs Service says it has intercepted two live pangolins being illegally transported along the Kano–Jigawa axis, in a renewed crackdown on wildlife trafficking.

The animals, among the most trafficked mammals globally, were seized on 12 March during a routine stop-and-search operation by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’.

What happened

Customs officers flagged down a vehicle at about 10:00 local time as part of a proactive enforcement sweep.

Upon inspection, two live pangolins—each weighing about 15kg—were discovered and immediately secured.

The animals were later transported in protective cages to the unit’s headquarters in Kaduna for further assessment.

Why it matters

The seizure was carried out under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international agreement designed to prevent the extinction of wildlife through illegal trade.

Pangolins are critically threatened due to high demand for their scales and meat, particularly in illegal international markets.

Wildlife experts say Nigeria is increasingly being used as a transit route for trafficked species, making enforcement efforts crucial.

Official response

The Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘B’, Aminu Sule, said the interception sends a strong warning to traffickers.

“This seizure sends a clear message that Zone ‘B’ will not be a transit point for wildlife traffickers.”

He added that a full investigation is underway to determine the source and intended destination of the animals.

Expert perspective

Conservationists warn that continued trafficking of Pangolins could push the species closer to extinction.

Impact on society and environment

Illegal wildlife trade not only threatens biodiversity but also undermines ecosystems and local livelihoods.

Authorities say Nigeria’s enforcement of global treaties like CITES is key to preserving endangered species and maintaining ecological balance.

What’s next

Customs officials say investigations will focus on identifying trafficking networks and possible cross-border links.

The rescued animals are expected to be handed over to environmental authorities for rehabilitation.