Ogun Govt Clamps down On Illegal Mining at Ekurugbudu Community In Ijebu North East Area

Ogun State Government has descended heavily on a Chinese firm for what it described as  illegal mining at Ekurugbudu, a village near Atan in Ijebu North East Area of the State.

The government had on the 9th of September, 2026, temporarily shut down the quarry being operated by the CNBM on the condition of not keeping to certain environmental policy and rules guiding safety and survival of the people within the community 

Meanwhile the Ekurugbudu Natives Development Association through Alpha Law Firm had earlier on the 31st of August, 2026 filed a petition against CNBM and sent to the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Ola Oresanya for contravening government 's order and violating the community's peace.

The letter specifically asks the government to stop the use of armed personnel and investigate the alleged intimidation of Ekurugbudu Natives Development Association ( ENDA ) officials, conduct an urgent environmental and regulatory compliance audit, including blasting, dust, noise, heavy vehicles and road damage; and requesting remediation and safety measures

The association in the letter, called on government to verify all permits, and convene the ministry, company and community representatives to agree on a lawful operating framework.

Ekurugbudu Natives Development Association ( ENDA), led government officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Environment upon information reaching the government that the Chinese are continuing illegal mining operation at Ekurugbudu despite Ogun State Government's order to stop operation for its non-compliance with the government's directives. 

The team from the Ministry of Environment led by Mr Akinwande K.S clamped down heavily on CNBM and had summoned them to appear in Abeokuta.

The company's operation manager, Mr Wale Balogun and security personnels on ground had fiercely resisted, thus involved in open confrontation with the government officials. 

In a related battle that ensued, the Odootu Community Chief, popularly known as "Atayese" stormed the scene with his boys, although with mixed feelings, had confronted the Ekurugbudu people, exchanged words with Chief Adebayo Adetola, the Olori-Ebi Agbon clan of Ekurugbudu. 

Government security men who stormed the scene clashed with the security men at the quarry. 

However, normalcy was finally restored but it remains inconclusive as government officials who stormed the quarry vowed to carry out the government order until full compliance is made and agreement reached.

Upon exit from the quarry, members of Ekurugbudu Natives Development Association (ENDA), concerned about the environmental damages being caused by perpetual drilling and blasting especially the massive hole capable of swallowing dozens of storey buildings, had led government officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Environment on assignment, to inspect the severe damages. 

While leaving through the gate linking Ekurugbudu to its closely tied community Oke-Agbonle, the government's officials had sealed off the gate to prevent unauthorized use. 

However, as at the time of filing this report, information reaching us confirmed that the locked gate by the government officials was forcefully opened by one Mr Adeboye Adeeko, chairman of the mining association and his men in conspiracy with the officials at the Ekurugbudu quarry.