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By Tracy Moses
Traditional rulers and the people of Itasa, a once peaceful community in the Iwajowa Local Government Area of Oyo State, have called on the Federal Government to shut down of a mining company, Architype Industries Nigeria Limited.
They accused the company of not only occupying their ancestral land illegally, but also endangering lives, escalating insecurity, and causing irreversible environmental destruction.
The outcry unfolded during a visit to the heart of the mining site, where the community’s leaders witnessed firsthand, the disastrous consequences of the company’s operations.
The miners’ machines have left deep scars on the land, while toxic fumes pollute the air. However, the concerns are more than environmental, they are deeply personal.
The community accuses Architype of violating every conceivable law, operating without a valid Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and defying the required Community Development Agreement (CDA) which both critical to ensuring the welfare of the local population.
Professor Bayo Aborisade, a native of Itasa, could barely contain his fury as he described the growing nightmare the community is living.
“They have seized our land and handed it over to outsiders, people who do not even speak our language!
“These outsiders are intimidating us, harassing us, and even threatening to use force against us. We can’t even go to our farms anymore. This is our land, and we demand it back, ” he said.
In a voice trembling with anger and fear, Aborisade revealed that the situation had deteriorated so badly that the very presence of the mining company now posed a deadly security threat.
“They have turned our community into a ticking time bomb. These people don’t respect us, and they certainly don’t care about the law,” he declared. “If they refuse to leave, there will be no peace here.”
Alhaji Banji Isiaka Odedele, the chairman of the Itasa Community Development Association, joined Aborisade in delivering an impassioned plea to the government. “Our people are suffering,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
“We can no longer feed our families because we can’t access our farmlands. This company has brought nothing but hardship to our doorstep, and we will not stand by and let it continue. Enough is enough.”
Adding to the mounting pressure, legal representative of the community, Femi Aborisade, spoke with fire in his eyes, declaring that Architype Industries had broken every legal principle in the book by launching operations without the necessary documentation.
“This company is operating illegally, and their actions must be stopped before it’s too late,” he warned.
Echoing the rising anger, Hon. Naajeem Busari, the local councilor representing Ward 04, confirmed that the community’s frustrations were boiling over. He revealed that the tensions between local farmers and herdsmen had grown even worse, fueled by the mining activities.
“This company is a plague on our community, and it has done nothing but stir conflict and suffering. The government must act now,” Busari urged.
The head of Itasa Community, Oba Michael Sijuola Oyediran, weighed in on the escalating crisis, his regal voice tinged with a mix of sadness and anger.
“We want development. We want peace. But we also want justice. If this company cannot prove that they are operating in the best interests of our people, they must leave our land. We will not be bullied into submission.”
In the midst of this storm, Mr. Olufola Awoyemi, a lawyer with the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Ibadan, warned of the looming disaster. His voice was urgent, almost desperate, as he painted a chilling picture of the situation.
“This is no longer just about the environment; it’s about our survival. The lives of our people are at risk, and if the government doesn’t step in, we may be facing even greater violence and unrest.”
Despite the overwhelming evidence and outcry from the community, Abiodun Ogunbiyide, the site manager for Architype Industries, remained defiant.
With cold indifference, he denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the company had followed the law to the letter.
“We have a valid mining license and consent from the community,” he stated, though his words rang hollow, as he failed to provide any concrete proof of the necessary documentation.