…Accuse Company of Operating Illegally

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

Residents of Imoru, Lege, and Obulepa communities in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State have raised concerns over an alleged violent invasion by security personnel, which they claim is disrupting peace and security in the area.

According to the residents, the heavily armed security operatives, acting on the instructions of a company allegedly involved in illegal mining, stormed the community in truckloads, firing sporadically and targeting workers of a legally recognized mining company.

The community’s legal representative, Sunday Akinyemi, condemned the attacks, stating that the affected mining company had obtained proper licences from both federal and state authorities and was operating with the consent of traditional landowners and the paramount ruler.

Akinyemi further accused another company, allegedly operating illegally, of encroaching on the legally designated mining site without the consent of the rightful landowners.

He raised concerns about the legitimacy of the alleged illegal company’s mining licence, arguing that its activities contravene Nigeria’s Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 (as amended in 2023), as well as the Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2011.

“These laws clearly state that mining operations require not only official government licences but also explicit approval from host communities,” Akinyemi stressed.

Akinyemi urged the Federal Government, the Ministry of Solid Minerals, and the Ondo State Government to step in immediately to:

Stop the reported security invasions and sporadic shootings

Protect the rights of law-abiding residents and licensed operators

He also alleged that the illegal company has a track record of causing unrest in host communities while leveraging powerful connections for protection.

Akinyemi warned that while Imoru residents remain peaceful and law-abiding, continued provocation could escalate tensions in the area.

“The people of Imoru will not tolerate further intimidation. He who lives in a glass house should not throw stones,” he cautioned.