Women of Ekuri community in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State have decried the escalating destruction of their forest by illegal loggers, warning that the crisis is rapidly eroding livelihoods, endangering lives and pushing families deeper into poverty.
Speaking during a one-day training programme organised by the RENEWLYN Development Initiative, the women recounted painful, firsthand experiences of how years of community-led forest conservation are being undone by relentless and unchecked logging activities.
Ekuri, a forest-rich community spanning about 33,600 hectares of communally protected land, has long depended on its natural environment for survival.
For generations, women have relied on farming and the harvesting of non-timber forest products such as afang, editan, atama and ogbono, not just for food, but as a vital source of income used to support households and fund their children’s education.
Community member, Mrs. Agatha described how widespread deforestation has forced women to travel increasingly dangerous distances, sometimes up to seven kilometres, just to find resources that were once readily available near their homes.
Medicinal plants, once abundant, have become scarce, weakening traditional healthcare systems and cutting off a key source of income for women who depend on herbal remedies.
Agriculture has also taken a major hit. Once-thriving farms now yield poor harvests, further deepening economic hardship across households.
Equally troubling are the growing security concerns. Freda Francis, another participant, revealed that the influx of unfamiliar loggers has made the forest unsafe, particularly for women and young girls.
Environmental degradation is compounding the crisis. Women reported that streams are drying up or becoming polluted due to logging activities near water sources. Falling trees and heavy equipment have disrupted natural water systems, threatening access to clean water and undermining food security.
Wildlife displacement has added another layer of danger. Animals, including elephants, are now straying into residential areas, as their natural habitats are destroyed, increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict.
Some accounts were deeply personal and alarming. Esther Atim shared a terrifying encounter with a large snake while gathering forest produce, linking such dangers to the disturbance of natural habitats.
She also raised concerns about worsening maternal and child health outcomes, as traditional birth attendants struggle to access essential medicinal herbs.
Economic struggles are intensifying. One participant narrated how a fellow community member was forced to withdraw her children from university due to declining farm income, a stark illustration of how environmental destruction is disrupting education and future prospects.
Cocoa farmers have not been spared. Many reported that their plantations have been damaged or destroyed by logging activities, wiping out a critical source of income.
At the same time, deteriorating roads caused by heavy logging equipment have driven up transportation costs, making basic goods more expensive and daily survival even more difficult.
Beyond the environmental and economic toll, the women expressed frustration over their exclusion from key decision-making processes, lamenting that their voices are often ignored in matters affecting their land, leaving them vulnerable to policies and actions imposed without their consent.
Despite the grim realities, the women remain resolute, calling on journalists, government authorities and relevant organisations to amplify their voices and take urgent action to halt the destruction.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the devastation of the Ekuri forest is no longer just an environmental issue, it is a full-blown humanitarian crisis threatening the survival, dignity, and future of the women who depend on it every single day.