December 21, (THEWILL) – The Daudu of Dangbala community in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo, Chief Festus Dania, on Tuesday refuted reports of ongoing illegal mining activities in the community.
Dania spoke on Tuesday in reaction to reports on social media that illegal miners have taken over the Dangbala community.
The monarch said the Edo State Government shutdown the mining site due to security threats and to forestall communal clashes between the various kindred in the community who have been claiming ownership where the gold is deposited.
Dania explained that the community is calm and peaceful contrary to reports of fear of apprehension being peddled around that miners have returned to the site.
According to him, the officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been directed to beef up security in all mining sites to ensure no miners return to operate in the community.
“Dangbala a community in Akoko Edo has gold deposit in large quantity which has miners licensed by the Federal Government until early this year when the community cried out over the threat of insecurity as a result of the influx of some strange faces in the community”, he said
Daudu however, called on the government to urgently address the issue so that mining activities can resume in the area.
“Some people are taking advantage of the present situation to paint the community in a bad light. We are law-abiding people and we will continue to stay off the mining site.
“We call on the state government to as a matter of urgency address the issue so that mining activities can resume legally in the community”, he said.
The Zonal mining officer, Abdulkadiri Adamu said no return of miners in the community, saying that the mining site remains shut down.
Adamu said the increased competition among miners created tension in the community, adding that this prompted the government to close down the mining site.
“I am unaware of the return of illegal miners to the area since it was shut down by the state government”, he added.
