Imoru Residents, Others Call For Govt’s Intervention Over Activities Of Miners

ÀKÚRẸ́ – Residents of Imoru town and its environs have called for immediate government’s intervention to check unwholesome activities of miners, belonging to a mining company which allegedly encroached the site of another mining company in the area.

They alleged violent incursion by some persons in uniforms of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who are protecting the encroaching miners.

According to the residents of Imoru, Lege, and Obulepa communities on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, truckloads of persons in NSCDC uniforms allegedly stormed the community, shooting sporadically, targeting workers of a legitimate mining company, ADE-OLAP Resources Limited.

They explained that the mining company, had secured legal licences from both federal and state authorities and operates with the consent of the traditional landowners and the paramount ruler of the community.

The residents alleged that the encroaching mining company(names withheld) unlawfully encroached on the mining site without the consent of the landowners.

Speaking through their legal adviser, Sunday Akinyemi Esq., they said questions have also been raised over the legitimacy of the mining licence of the encroaching company, because its activities allegedly violate provisions of Nigeria’s Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 (as amended in 2023) and the Minerals and Mining Regulations, 2011.

They emphasized that these laws clearly mandate that mining operations require not only official licences from the government but also explicit approval from host communities.

The affected residents, therefore, affected residents, called on the Federal Government, the Ministry of Solid Minerals, the Ondo State Government, and the Commandant-General of the NSCDC and all relevant agencies to intervene in the situation without delay.

Among urgent demands of the residents include immediate stoppage of shootings by men in NSCDC uniforms in the communities, the investigation of the encroaching mining company among others.

Akinyemi warned that as long as the residents remained calm and law-abiding, continued provocation could escalate tensions.

“The people of Imoru will not tolerate further intimidation.

He who lives in a glass house should not throw stones,” Akinyemi stated.