By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
The Ibile Justice Forum, an advocacy group, has raised the alarm over illegal mining activities in Iloro I, Iloro II and Ibiri village, all within Ado-Odo community, in Ogun State.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Forum, by Comrade Ifeoluwa Amoo and Comrade Ganiu Owolabi, and made available to our correspondent on Tuesday, the Forum accused a firm it identified as SAF Investment and Property Company Limited of being behind the alleged illegal mining. activities.
The Forum claimed the firm was engaging the mining in a farm settlement otherwise dedicated to agriculture development thereby disrupting the livelihoods of residents of the agrarian community.
In the statement which reads in part, the duo said, “We are constrained to speak against the deliberate actions of a company whose actions and inactions are rendering our community prostrate, economically disadvantaged, environmentally unsafe with other clear and present dangers staring us in the face.
“We are talking about a situation where our collective patrimony is being arbitrarily exploited by a company to the detriment of the community whose livelihoods have not only been hijacked but left in ruins and destruction as a result of the mining activities being perpetuated within their community.
“We are even more worried that the mining activities are being aided and abetted by the so-called traditional institutions which ordinarily is supposed to be the custodian of the mores and customs of the community, all for their own selfish aggrandizement and craze for the filthy lucre.
“That these illegal mining activities are happening at this time, the federal government is trying to harness and ensure equitable distribution of the nation’s natural endowments, is also a clear affront on the powers and authorities of the federal government by an unknown entity in law and should not be allowed to stand.
“We are aware that the company was directed by the Ministry of Agriculture in a memo dated January 28th, 2025, to stop all mining activities having withdrew the initial approval granted to it on December 5th, 2024. But why the company chose to remain in site, and carry on with the exploration activities in defiance of the order by the Ministry is indeed baffling and worrisome.
“The impression that the company can do anything unchallenged, unabated, unhindered has further heightened tension in the community, with residents living in perpetual fear and dread of what could happen to them with the continuous exploitation taking place.
“We therefore use this medium to call on the federal government, the Ogun State government, the Office of the Inspector General of Police to intervene in this matter to forestal a breach of public peace and harmony within the community, and rescue the people and community as a whole.”
As at press time, attempts to reach out to one of the officials of SAF Investment and Property company for comments were futile as the GSM contacts was switched off.
Meanwhile, a source close to the Ogun State Ministry of Environment told The Daily Crucible that the government treats illegal mining activities as a crime.
“Like any act of illegality, the issue of illegal mining will be treated as a crime, and proper sanction will be applied as specified by the law,” the source said.
