Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
An influential civil society organisation, the Ibile Justice Forum, has urgently called on both the Ogun State and federal governments to intervene in what it describes as illegal mining activities taking place within Iloro I, Iloro II and Ibiri villages in the Ado-Odo area of Ogun State. The group says the extraction poses imminent threats to the environment, local livelihoods and peace in the agrarian community.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday by Comrades Ifeoluwa Amoo and Ganiu Owolabi on behalf of the forum, the advocacy group accused a private firm — identified in some reports as SAF Investment and Property Company Limited — of engaging in unauthorised mining on land primarily dedicated to farming and agricultural development. The statement alleges that these activities have left the community economically disadvantaged and environmentally unsafe, jeopardising the well-being of residents who depend on their farmland for sustenance and income.
The forum described the alleged mining as “scandalous acts of economic sabotage,” asserting that the exploitation has been carried out without proper legal backing or community consent. Concern was heightened by claims that some traditional authorities, expected to uphold community interests, might be abetting the extraction for personal gain. This, the group said, has further eroded trust among locals and fuelled anxiety about potential conflict and social unrest.
Highlighting the broader implications, the Ibile Justice Forum urged the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ogun State Government, the Office of the Inspector General of Police and relevant federal agencies to immediately intervene. It emphasised that allowing such operations to continue unchecked could undermine public peace and the rule of law, especially in an area where agriculture is a central pillar of the local economy and way of life.
Responding to the claims, the Ogun State Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting agricultural land and preventing unlawful mining activities in the state. The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Bolu Owootomo, said the ministry engaged directly with the company once the situation was brought to its attention, noting that no state government directive had authorised mining in the affected communities. The company reportedly agreed to halt operations and begin evacuating equipment and materials from the site following the government’s intervention.
Government officials have assured residents that formal written notice has been issued to ensure compliance, and ongoing monitoring and enforcement measures are in place to forestall any future violations. The state’s intervention is intended to safeguard farmland designated for agricultural purposes and to ensure that development on these lands aligns with broader food security and environmental conservation goals.
The controversy reflects broader tensions in Nigeria over mining regulation, land use and environmental protection. In recent years, communities across the Southwest and beyond have raised similar complaints about illegal extraction of solid minerals, often citing environmental degradation, loss of livelihood and inadequate enforcement of existing laws. In some areas, unresolved disputes over mining have escalated into social tensions, underscoring the need for robust regulatory oversight and constructive engagement with host communities.
Experts and local leaders have warned that without clear legal frameworks, transparent community engagement and effective enforcement, such activities can undermine not only the environment but also local economies and social cohesion. Illegal mining operations, if left unchecked, are often associated with soil degradation, water pollution and destruction of agricultural land, which can have long-term consequences for food security and public health.
For the residents of Iloro I, Iloro II and Ibiri villages, the advocacy group’s alarm has brought national attention to issues that have simmered at the community level. Many inhabitants have long feared that unregulated activities could strip them of their primary means of livelihood — farming — and leave them vulnerable to economic hardship and displacement.
The Ibile Justice Forum’s appeal for intervention underscores the urgency of balancing economic development with environmental stewardship and community rights. As the state government continues its efforts to enforce agricultural protection and halt illegal mining, the outcome of this dispute will be closely watched by other farming communities facing similar threats.
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