Mining Dispute Deepens in Ebonyi Community as Reps Member, Firm Trade Accusations
Nkechinyere Ewa
Tension is mounting in Ohankwu community, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, following a growing dispute over mining activities involving a mining company, community residents and government officials.
Chinedu Ogah, the member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, weekend accused First Patriots Limited company of forcefully displacing residents from their ancestral homes with the support of security operatives.
Ogah alleged that the company failed to adequately compensate landowners affected by the mining operations, claiming that armed soldiers, police officers and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps invaded the community and chased residents from their homes.
According to the lawmaker, several displaced residents later sought refuge in his residence after the alleged operation.
“The next day, I received a call saying some of the people from the village moved to my house for shelter after they were chased out of their homes,” Ogah stated.
He further claimed that about 50 residents were displaced and warned that he may petition the Federal Government to revoke the company’s mining licence.
But Obi Alio the Director of First Patriot Limited when contacted, dismissed the allegations, insisting that the company has operated within the provisions of the law and fulfilled all agreements reached with host communities.
Alio maintained that the company had implemented the terms contained in its Community Development Agreements (CDAs), including the provision of boreholes, roads, scholarships and other community projects.
“There is nothing in that CDA that has not been done. We provide boreholes, roads, scholarships and other amenities,” he said.
He also denied claims that residents were forcefully evicted, stressing that there were no residential buildings within the area currently being mined.
According to him, all individuals whose lands were affected by the mining activities had been fully compensated.
Chidi Onyia, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Solid Minerals, in Reaction to the controversy said security personnel were deployed to the area following petitions alleging illegal mining activities, cultism, gun running and threats to peace in the community.
Onyia further explained that the state government had facilitated agreements between the company and the host communities, including compensation arrangements and development projects.
He disclosed that compensation paid to affected persons in Ohankwu exceeded N400 million, while the company also committed to projects such as boreholes, scholarships and health centres.
The commissioner attributed the crisis largely to leadership disputes within the community and alleged lack of transparency in the management of compensation funds.
“The leadership of Ohankwu has failed. They failed the government and they failed the people,” Onyia said.
He further denied allegations that security agencies were used to intimidate residents, alleging instead that some youths attacked the mining site, vandalised equipment and carted away materials.
Onyia warned against illegal mining and violent activities in the area, stressing that the Ebonyi State Government would not tolerate security threats linked to mining operations.
