GOLD OVER GODS? EBONYI COMMUNITY BATTLES CHINESE MINERS OVER SACRED LAND INVASION
Amy Adindu
Tensions are rising in the Enyim Agalegu Edukwu Opeke community of Ikwo LGA, Ebonyi State, over an alleged underground mining operation by a Chinese company reportedly operating without necessary environmental clearances or community consent.
According to a petition addressed to Governor Francis Nwifuru and obtained by our correspondent, the community accused the company of violating multiple Nigerian environmental laws and desecrating Ugwogo Forest, which houses the Ugwogo Ancestral Shrine, a spiritual site considered sacred for generations.
The petition, signed by elders, youth leaders, and traditional representatives, also implicates four local collaborators in enabling the alleged illegality.
“There was no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), no community dialogue, and no legal mining licence presented. This is a blatant violation of our rights and our land,” the petition read.
Residents fear that the unregulated mining could lead to environmental degradation, loss of heritage, and spiritual repercussions.
The community is demanding a government-led investigation, a halt to all mining activities, and accountability for those involved.
As of press time, the Ebonyi State Government had not released a formal response. However, local environmental advocacy groups are beginning to rally behind the community’s call for justice.
Stay with us for more updates on this developing story.
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