Residents of Enyim Agalegu Edukwu Opeke in Ikwo Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, have petitioned Governor Francis Nwifuru, raising serious concerns over alleged unauthorized underground mining by a Chinese company operating in their community.
In a formal petition sent to the Governor, the community accused the Chinese firm of conducting illegal mining activities on their ancestral land, in alleged collaboration with four local individuals. They claimed that the underground mining is not only unlicensed but also violates the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007, particularly Section 61, which outlines conditions such as environmental impact assessments (EIA), community consultations, and federal approvals before mining can commence.
Leading the petition, Mr. Ogbuinya Livinus, Youth President of the community, condemned the operations, describing them as a direct violation of cultural and spiritual heritage. The mining, he said, is taking place on sacred ground within Ugwogo Forest, where a historic ancestral shrine is located.
“This shrine has been our spiritual stronghold for generations,” the petition states. “Its desecration by the Chinese firm and their local partners is both a cultural insult and a spiritual offense.”
The community warned that the underground excavations pose major environmental dangers, such as potential land collapse, subsidence, and even earthquake-like effects, especially with the ongoing rainy season.
Disturbingly, the petition also alleged that the Chinese company, alongside its collaborators, has begun intimidating and arresting local youths who peacefully resisted the unlawful mining operations.
The community further emphasized that the company lacks any legal permit for such mining. The land in question, they said, was officially leased to Royal Salt Limited, which has publicly denied any involvement with the Chinese operators.
“Royal Salt Limited has never given approval to this company to access or mine the land,” the petitioners noted. “They have clearly distanced themselves from these unauthorized activities.”
The residents also raised alarm that the Chinese firm has exceeded all recognized boundaries, moving dangerously close to Royal Salt’s mining dump—a situation they say could lead to disaster.
“They’re going deeper than what’s permitted, and their operations are dangerously close to the Royal Salt dump site,” the petition continued. “If the rains continue, this reckless digging could cause massive structural collapses and potentially lead to a tragedy.”
Calling for urgent government action, the community urged Governor Nwifuru to issue an executive order to halt the illegal operations and initiate a full investigation into the activities of the company and its alleged local allies.
“We respect your efforts in maintaining peace through the People’s Charter of Needs,” the community concluded. “But we appeal to you—please intervene before this situation spirals into an environmental and human catastrophe.”
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