Ebonyi Community At War With Mining Firm

IGNATIUS OKPARA, Abakaliki

The people of Ihietutu community of Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State on Sunday staged a protest over the non-compliance with the terms of agreement in the land lease signed by the community and a private. Mining firm.

The aggrieved community, had during the protest which featured over 2, 000 people made up of men, women, youths, children and the aged, demanded that the company should stop mining operations in the area.

The protesters also alleged that one of the sons, simply identified as Victor, was beaten to death during a recent mayhem allegedly sponsored by the mining firm.

Chairman of Ihietutu Development Union, Elder Paulinus Okoro, who spoke newsmen, stated that since the company began its mining operations in the community, the natives have not known peace.

But chairman of the company in a swift reaction, denied all allegation leveled against the firm, stressing that the company never sponsored youths to kill anybody or to cause disaffection among the community.

Meanwhile, the people of community, have called on the state Governor, Martin Elechi, to as a matter of urgency intervene in the matter before it degenerates into anarchy.