The Federal Government has closed a sand dredging and mining company in Ilate-Etido Community, Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State due to illegal mining activities.
The company, Ojibas Nigeria Limited, owned by a businessman from Osun State, was sealed on Tuesday by the Mining Inspectorate Department of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals and Development in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Reliable sources revealed that the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office in Abuja had revoked the company's operating license on August 12, 2022. Despite this, the company continued its illegal operations, using policemen and soldiers as security.
On May 28, 2024, a combined team of soldiers from the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, and police operatives from Zone 2 Command, Lagos, raided the company. They arrested the illegal miners, including some policemen and soldiers providing security for the operation, led by a Chinese national.
Before the raid, residents of the community had protested against the company, complaining about the negative impacts of the illegal sand dredging on their farmlands, environment, and livelihoods.
Chief Shamsideen Ajibawo, the Community Head of Ilate-Etido, said: “I wrote several letters to the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals, the Cadastral Mining Office, the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Naval Staff, and the Ministry of Mines in Ogun State about these illegal miners. I discovered in Abuja that the company’s license had been revoked, but the promoter refused to leave, claiming he owned all the land and that the residents should vacate it. The community celebrated when the soldiers and police arrested the illegal miners and the armed police used to intimidate us.”
The community is now relieved as the authorities take action against the illegal mining activities that have disrupted their lives.
0 Comments