Ado-Odo residents protest mining, cite environmental hazards

Residents of Ado-Odo in Ogun State have protested dangerous mining operations being conducted close to their homes, farmlands, and access roads, citing escalating environmental degradation and serious safety threats.

The residents comprising indigenes, landlords, and allottees of the Ogun State Housing Estate—under the umbrella of the Ado-Odo Progressive Union, accused a mining company of excavating clay, locally known as black soil, dangerously close to homes, farmlands, and access roads.

During a visit to the community on Thursday, residents said the mining activities had left deep, water-filled pits, degraded large expanses of land, and exposed residents to serious risks.

Community member Akeem Alagbe said residents were shocked by the scale of the excavation and its proximity to residential buildings, adding that earlier protests had forced government officials to intervene.

Another resident, Tajudeen Akinwande, stated: “This burrow pit is very close to the residential area. When we noticed it, we protested, and that led to a meeting with the state government”.

Members of the Ado-Odo Progressive Union said the community had suffered years of environmental degradation caused by both licensed and unlicensed miners who allegedly failed to reclaim mined lands.

The group called for the immediate suspension of all excavation activities within the Ogun State Housing Estate and adjoining communities pending a comprehensive environmental impact assessment.

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Union member Taiwo Talabi faulted the siting of mining operations near residential and agricultural areas. “While we support responsible mining, such activities should not be located within residential areas or farmlands, which are the mainstay of our people’s economy. Beyond environmental damage, the security and ecosystem implications are severe,” he said.

Another member, Okanlawon Jagundina, revealed that some of the lands being mined were originally designated for housing by the Ogun State Housing Corporation.

“Ado-Odo is known as the food basket of the state. Parts of this land were released for housing purposes. We appeal to the state government to save our soil and preserve our ecosystem by critically examining this issue with a holistic and unbiased approach,” he said.

The residents demanded a review of the licensing and compliance status of mining operators, remediation of degraded lands, compensation for affected residents, and stricter enforcement of environmental and town-planning laws.

When contacted, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, said the ministry would investigate the allegations. “Please send me the details of the information. I will investigate it and ensure it is properly addressed,” he said.

The protest is the latest in a series of complaints about mining activities across Ogun State, with several communities raising alarms about environmental degradation, health hazards, and the destruction of farmlands by poorly regulated mining operations.