TUDA suspends illegal mining in Kwande

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

The Turan Development Association (TUDA), the apex socio-cultural and development body of the Turan people in Kwandel local government area has condemned in strong terms illegal mining activities in the area, stating that the people will no longer be spectators in the exploitation of their own land.
Consequently, the association has announced the immediate and indefinite suspension of all mining activities across Turan land.
This was contained in a statement signed by Mr Ahar Bichi Acting President General
Turan Development Association TUDA and Mr. Asongo Ukusu Assistant General Secretary on Saturday.
It should be noted that Turan clan occupies six districts and five council wards within Kwande LGA, which also includes Ikurav-ya, Nanev, and Shangev-ya clans.
The assocjation said their ancestral land is richly endowed with mineral resources worth billions of naira, yet, for over a decade, Turan communities have suffered unrelenting attacks by bandits, armed herders, and terrorists.
They decried the death of over 2,000 innocent lives with over 90% of their land forcibly occupied and over 200,000 people displaced.
TUDA regretted that in the midst of the death and displacement, over five mining companies operate freely and undisturbed in the same volatile environment, expressing shock that neither the companies nor their operations have been targeted by these criminals raising serious questions of selective security challenges
“Worse still, these companies began mining without any Community Development Agreement (CDA) with TUDA — the only body legally recognized by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and empowered under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
“They have instead paid illegal levies to unauthorized local and state agencies in clear violation of the Constitution and the Mining Act.
“The result is environmental devastation, massive pollution, and the systematic short-changing of the Turan people.
“ Indigenous workers have been sacked and replaced with foreigners. Just last week, on Tuesday, 28th April 2026, a security guard attached to Longriver Mining Nig. Ltd, a mining company in Imbesev was arrested for kidnapping a pupil from Love of Christ Nursery and Primary School, Jato-Aka, the headquarters of Turan.
“Repeated attempts by TUDA to engage these companies in lawful dialogue have been arrogantly rejected. Instead, they have chosen to deal with unauthorized individuals and illegal channels”, the statement stated.
TUDA said the Turan people can no longer watch helplessly while their land is exploited, environment destroyed, children kidnapped, and the people slaughtered while mining companies flourish without any meaningful benefit to the host communities.
It inssited that effective immediately, all mining activities in Turan land are suspended until the companies enter into formal, transparent Community Development Agreements with TUDA as mandated by law, meet all legal obligations to the entire Turan nation and the affected communities (Imbesev, Maav, and others) through TUDA and com} óppóommit to responsible operations that guarantee the security and development of our people.
“We call on all Turan sons and daughters to stand united behind this decision. Any individual or group negotiating secretly with mining companies in the name of TUDA is acting fraudulently and without authority.
“Any company continuing operations or entering agreements with unauthorized persons or government agencies — without TUDA’s involvement and the supervision of the Federal Mines Officer in Makurdi — does so at its own peril. Such transactions are illegal, null and void, and a waste of time and resources.
“TUDA is ready to engage with serious investors who respect the law and the rights of the Turan people. We will not accept anything less.
“We appeal to the Federal Government, Benue State Government, security agencies, and all well-meaning Nigerians to intervene decisively and restore sanity, justice, and peace to Turan land”, the socio-cultural group appealed.