An advocacy group, Ibile Justice Forum, has raised serious concerns over alleged illegal mining activities in Iloro I, Iloro II and Ibiri villages within the Ado-Odo community of Ogun State, calling on both the state and Federal Governments to urgently intervene and recover farmlands taken from local farmers.
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by Ifeoluwa Amoo and Ganiu Owolabi, the group described the situation as deeply troubling, alleging that a mining firm (name withheld) is attempting to carry out mining operations in a farm settlement originally designated for agricultural development. According to the forum, the activities have severely disrupted the livelihoods of residents whose primary source of income depends on farming.
The group lamented that the community has suffered economic hardship and environmental degradation as a result of the company’s actions. It accused the firm of arbitrarily exploiting communal land to the detriment of the people, leaving farmlands destroyed and residents exposed to environmental and safety risks.
Ibile Justice Forum also expressed concern over the alleged involvement of some traditional institutions, accusing them of aiding and abetting the mining activities for personal gain. The group noted that such actions betray the trust reposed in traditional rulers as custodians of community values and land.
The forum revealed that the Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture had, in a memo dated January 28, 2025, ordered the company to stop all mining activities after withdrawing an earlier approval granted on December 5, 2024. Despite this directive, the group alleged that the firm has continued operations on the site in defiance of the government’s order.
Describing the situation as baffling and unacceptable, the advocacy group urged relevant authorities to enforce the ministry’s directive, halt all illegal mining activities, and restore the farmlands to the affected communities. It also called for accountability from all parties involved, warning that continued inaction could further impoverish the agrarian population and worsen environmental damage in the area.
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