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The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has urged the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, to intervene in the ongoing illegal sand mining issue in Amumaraokahia village, which is part of the Adakam Amumara autonomous community in the Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State
In a letter signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC raised concerns about the environmental damage caused by illegal sand mining operations involving over 20 dredging machines in the community’s rivers
The letter, also addressed to the Imo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Security Services, and the NSCDC, alleges that some officials in the Ministry of Solid Minerals and the traditional ruler of Adakam are aiding the illegal miners.
The letter outlined several issues of concern:
1. For about five years, high-level illegal and unregulated sand mining has been ongoing in two rivers in Amumaraokahia village by some foreign entities without the consent or agreement of the village leadership.
2. Currently, there are nearly 20 dredging machines operating in the two small rivers, and the continuous movement of heavy-duty trucks transporting sand generates dust, polluting the atmosphere and damaging roads without compensation or mitigation efforts.
3. Besides the illegality and unregulated nature of the operations, villagers are concerned about the excessive number of dredging machines relative to the river sizes.
4. There are concerns that the scale of dredging is causing lasting damage to the river ecosystem and surrounding environment.
5. The community is requesting a Ministry assessment to determine the environmental impacts of the intensive dredging, including habitat destruction, erosion, water quality degradation, altered river flow, biodiversity loss, disrupted sediment transport, and impacts on fish populations.
6. The activities of illegal operators are increasing tensions and threatening law and order.
7. Many of the individuals involved in the illegal mining operations were aided by the traditional ruler of Adakam Eze O B Nwokocha, disregarding the interests of the host community.
8. The village leadership’s attempts to engage the “investors” to present their certificates, environmental impact assessments, and discuss a Community Development Agreement have been ignored; the investors claim accountability only to Eze Nwokocha.
9. Some operators falsely claim to have licenses from the ‘Ministry of Mines,’ while others operate without any licenses, leading to unregulated access to the rivers.
10. There are allegations that an official from the Ministry of Mines in Owerri, Imo State, is colluding with the miners and has threatened the village residents for questioning the activities.
11. Tensions are rising due to the resistance of the village youth and the perceived collusion of the traditional ruler and other vested interests who want the dredging to continue.
12. The community is appealing to the Minister to investigate the legality of the mining operations, the validity of the claimed licenses, the environmental damage caused, and the role of the traditional ruler and ministry officials in enabling the illegal mining activities.
RULAAC requested the Minister to issue an immediate order to halt all mining activities in the rivers to protect the river ecosystem, the environment, de-escalate tensions, and prevent a breakdown of law and order
According to Uzoma Akwarandu, the President General of Amumaraokahia Village, a person identifying himself as Chukwudi Mmakaogu allegedly threatened retaliation against Emeka Akwarandu and his task force
This threat occurred after the task force began enforcing a village resolution to suspend all dredging until operators met legal requirements, including environmental impact assessments and community development agreements.
The issue arises from years of unregulated sand mining that has allegedly damaged local ecosystems and infrastructure without the community’s consent.
In December 2024, a meeting of residents and diaspora members led to a resolution to halt dredging until compliance with the Mining Act.
Despite a directive from the Ezinihitte Mbaise L.G.A Council Chairman, operations reportedly continued.
Uzoma Akwarandu stated, “These illegal miners have shown contempt for our community and our laws. Their actions have left our environment in ruins, and we will no longer tolerate it”
Mmakaogu allegedly defended a miner, Chibuenyi, asserting federal ownership of the river and claiming Chibuenyi possesses a valid license
However, village leaders maintain that all operators must adhere to the Mining Act, which requires engagement with host communities
Akwarandu questioned why Chibuenyi has repeatedly ignored invitations to present his license or discuss a community agreement and stated that Mmakaogu’s defense of him exposes a troubling alliance.
Amumaraokahia leaders have formally notified the Federal Ministry of Mines and Imo State security agencies, urging investigations into the illegal mining activities and Mmakaogu’s credentials
They also claim that Mmakaogu dismissed the authority of local government and security agencies.
The village emphasizes the legal rights of host communities and local governments to regulate mining under the Mining Act, with Akwarandu stressing that they are not against development, but it must be lawful and sustainable.
