…says 90 percent of Turan land occupied by armed groups, over 200,000 displaced

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Turan Development Association (TUDA), the apex socio-cultural body of the Turan people in Kwande Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue State, has announced the indefinite suspension of all mining activities across Turan land, citing insecurity, environmental degradation, and alleged exploitation by mining companies operating in the area.

In a strongly worded statement signed by the Acting President General of TUDA, Mr. Ahar Bichi, and the Assistant General Secretary, Mr. Asongo Ukusu, the association accused mining firms of allegedly operating illegally without formal agreements with host communities while the people continue to suffer deadly attacks from bandits, armed herders, and terrorists.

TUDA described the Turan clan as the largest and most populous clan in Kwande LGA, occupying six districts and five council wards, with vast mineral deposits worth billions of Naira.

According to the association, more than 2,000 people have been killed in over a decade of violence, while over 90 percent of Turan land has allegedly been occupied by armed groups, forcing more than 200,000 residents out of their homes.

The group questioned why mining companies have continued to operate freely in the troubled communities without being attacked.

“While our people are being killed and driven from their homes, over five mining companies operate freely and undisturbed in the same volatile environment. Shockingly, neither the companies nor their operations have been targeted by these criminals. This selective security raises serious questions,” the statement said.

TUDA further alleged that the mining companies commenced operations without signing any Community Development Agreement (CDA) with the association, which it described as the only legally recognized body representing the Turan people under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.

The association accused the firms of paying “illegal levies” to unauthorized local and state agencies instead of engaging with host communities through lawful channels. “The result is environmental devastation, massive pollution, and the systematic short-changing of the Turan people. Indigenous workers have been sacked and replaced with foreigners,” TUDA alleged.

The group also linked one of the mining firms to a recent kidnapping incident in the area. It claimed that on April 28, 2026, a security guard attached to a company in Imbesev was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a pupil of a Nursery and Primary school in Jato-Aka, the headquarters of Turan. TUDA said repeated efforts to engage the companies in dialogue had failed.

“Enough is enough, Turan people can no longer watch helplessly while our land is exploited, our environment destroyed, our children kidnapped, and our people slaughtered, all while mining companies flourish without any meaningful benefit to the host communities,” the statement added.

The association announced that all mining activities in Turan land would remain suspended until mining companies enter into transparent Community Development Agreements with TUDA, meet their legal obligations to affected communities, and commit to responsible operations that guarantee security and development for residents.

TUDA also warned individuals against negotiating with mining companies on behalf of the association without authorization “because any company continuing operations or entering agreements with unauthorized persons or government agencies, without TUDA’s involvement and the supervision of the Federal Mines Officer in Makurdi, does so at its own peril.”

The group appealed to the Federal Government, Benue state government, security agencies, and other stakeholders to intervene and restore peace and justice in the area.