Study of Deforestation-Related Conflicts and Community Security in Cross River State

Illegal logging and deforestation in Cross River State's rainforest zone have generated complex security conflicts between logging interests, state authorities, and forest-dependent communities, with significant implications for community safety and environmental security. This study examined the relationship between deforestation activities and community security in Etung, Obanliku, and Boki Local Government Areas, Cross River State, South South Nigeria. A qualitative descriptive design was employed, combining focus group discussions with six forest community groups, structured interviews with eight community leaders and four State Forestry Commission officials, and documentary review of conflict incident records from 2020 to 2023. Thematic analysis was applied. Results identified five security dimensions directly linked to deforestation conflicts: community vigilante confrontations with illegal loggers (documented in 83.3 percent of interviewed communities), water source contamination generating inter-community disputes (66.7 percent), loss of medicinal plant resources creating healthcare disputes (50 percent), loss of game leading to food security contestation (66.7 percent), and organised criminal groups using forest cover for kidnapping staging (75 percent). State enforcement capacity was rated as severely inadequate, with Forestry Commission officers lacking the mandate and equipment to prevent armed illegal logging operations. The study recommends a joint security-environment enforcement task force, community forest monitoring partnerships, and alternative livelihood development for logging-dependent communities in Cross River State.

Keywords: deforestation conflicts, community security, Cross River State, environmental crime, forest protection