FG goes tough on Chinese illegal mining firm over site collapse

Federal Government takes swift action against illegal mining firm in Ogun State after collapse of mining site that left scores with variation of injuries.

The sand dredging and mining company operating in Ilate-Etido Community in Obafemi/Owode local government area of Ogun State, is sealed on July 10, 2024, following series of unlawful engagements.

The officials of the Mining Inspectorate Department, Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals and Development, Oke Mosan in Abeokuta, Ogun State, storm the site and halt the Ojibas Nigeria Limited from further operation.

The operating license of the mining company dredging sand in the community was revoked by the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office, Abuja, since August 12, 2022, yet, it continues operation.

Even after revocation of the mining license which was published in the official gazette of NMCO, Abuja, the company continued to carry on illegal mining activities, using the country’s security personnel to perfect her illegal activities.

A combined team of soldiers from the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta and police operatives from Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Onikan, Lagos, however, had on May 28, 2024, stormed the company and arrested the suspected illegal miners at a dredging site.

The security team also arrested some policemen and soldiers protecting the illegal miners headed by a Chinese nationale and whisked them to Onikan for interrogations.

Meanwhile, majority of the residents of the host community had protested against the illegal activities of the Chinese nationale complaining against its destructive impacts of the illegal dredging of sand on their farmlands and sources of livelihood.