Residents of Itasa, a rural community in the Iwajowa Local Council Area in the Oke-Ogun region of Oyo State, are asking the Federal Government to take swift action against a mining company they believe is operating illegally on their land. They have issued a firm demand: Architype Industries (Nig.) Limited must leave their land or comply fully with legal and community requirements. The people say their safety, environment, and way of life are being seriously threatened, and they can no longer keep silent.
According to the people of Itasa, the company began its mining activities without fulfilling crucial legal requirements such as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and a valid Community Development Agreement (CDA). These, they say, are not just boxes to tick—they are meant to protect lives, ensure safety, and guarantee that communities benefit from operations happening on their land. Residents believe the company has ignored these responsibilities, and the consequences are now visible and dangerous.
They describe how the mining activities have created fear and unrest, with increasing insecurity in the area. Farmlands are no longer safe, and farmers are too afraid to work. Community leaders say individuals working with or benefiting from the mining company have started to intimidate residents, leaving locals feeling helpless in their own homes. The once peaceful village, known for its quiet and agricultural lifestyle, is now struggling with tension and distress brought on by the mining operations.
One of the most vocal voices on the issue is Professor Bayo Aborisade, a well-known indigene of the town. He expressed deep concern about how the operations have turned the tide against the people. According to him, the company has not only taken minerals from the land but has also empowered certain individuals who now act as enforcers, threatening the peace of the community. He said the company had disrupted the land, built settlements, and caused major divisions, making many people feel unsafe and unheard.
Local youth leader Jelili Ogunlade, community development chairman Alhaji Banji Isiaka Odedele, and another resident, Julius Farounbi, echoed the same concern. They said the presence of the mining company had brought insecurity and fear to the area and that many farmers had been forced to abandon their fields. This, they explained, is not just about losing income—it is about losing a way of life, one generation after another.
Femi Aborisade, a lawyer from the community, firmly stated that Architype Industries is acting outside the law. He pointed out that without a valid EIA or a proper agreement with the people, the company’s operations are simply illegal. He described their presence in the community as unlawful and deeply harmful, stressing that the legal procedures meant to protect communities have not been respected.
But the company disagrees. Its site manager, Abiodun Ogunbiyide, maintains that all necessary documents and agreements are in place. He claimed the company has a valid mining license, a community consent letter, and the official title to operate in the area. According to him, Architype Industries is not doing anything wrong.
However, during a recent visit to the mining site, community members stood their ground. They pointed out the damage already done to their environment and expressed fear that if action is not taken now, the situation may worsen. They are not only asking the government to investigate the matter—they are asking that the company be removed entirely unless it meets the community’s conditions and legal expectations.
A representative from the local government, Naajeem Busari, who is also a member of the Iwajowa Local Council Legislative House, called on the authorities to step in immediately. He said that the well-being of the people must come first and that the concerns raised by the community should not be ignored.
The town’s traditional ruler, Oba Michael Sijuola Oyediran, the Onitile of Itasa, also added his voice. He said the town wants peace and is not against development, but development must come with respect, fairness, and lawful practices. He explained that the company is welcome if it follows due process and gives the community its rightful benefits. But if it refuses to do the right thing, the people want it gone.
To show just how serious the matter has become, Mr. Olufola Awoyemi, a lawyer working with the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), visited the community. He described what he saw as far more than just an environmental problem. He said the lives of the people are at risk and that the entire local economy is being affected. According to him, JDPC is ready to bring wider attention to the issue so that both Nigeria and the international community are aware of what the people of Itasa are going through.
As the community continues to cry out for help, the situation remains tense. The people are standing their ground, asking for justice, peace and safety. Their message is clear: they want their land back, their safety restored, and their future protected. They are looking to the government for swift and decisive action, and they are not backing down. The deadline is approaching fast, and all eyes are now on the authorities to respond before things spiral further out of control.
