Community leaders, residents and a licensed mining operator in Feru Community, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, have urged Federal Government to deploy a coordinated joint security operation to halt persistent violence, protect lawful mining activities and restore normalcy to the area amid a protracted land dispute.
The appeal was made in separate statements by community representatives, traditional leaders, residents and Alhaji Gbenga Ibuoye, a licensed laterite miner who said he holds mining rights issued by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
Ibuoye said he legally acquired about 166 acres of land for mining operations and possesses all the necessary legal documents.
He added that he had invested hundreds of millions of naira in developing the site, including constructing a three-kilometre access road to open up the community.
According to him, the dispute escalated after some individuals challenged his ownership of the land.
