By Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Turan Development Association (TUDA), the apex socio-cultural and development body of the Turan people in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, has strongly condemned illegal mining activities in the area, declaring that the people will no longer remain spectators in the exploitation of their land.
Consequently, the association announced the immediate and indefinite suspension of all mining activities across Turan land.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed on Saturday by the Acting President-General of TUDA, Mr. Ahar Bichi, and the Assistant General Secretary, Mr. Asongo Ukusu.
TUDA noted that the Turan clan occupies six districts and five council wards within Kwande LGA, alongside the Ikurav-ya, Nanev, and Shangev-ya clans.
The association stated that although Turan land is richly endowed with mineral resources worth billions of naira, the communities have, for more than a decade, suffered persistent attacks by bandits, armed herders, and terrorists.
According to the statement, over 2,000 innocent people have been killed, more than 90 per cent of the land forcibly occupied, and over 200,000 residents displaced.
TUDA expressed concern that despite the insecurity, more than five mining companies continue to operate freely and undisturbed in the volatile environment.
The association said it was shocking that neither the companies nor their operations had been targeted by the criminals, raising questions about what it described as selective security challenges.
“Worse still, these companies began mining without any Community Development Agreement (CDA) with TUDA — the only body legally recognised by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and empowered under the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007.
“They have instead paid illegal levies to unauthorised 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, April 28, 2026, a security guard attached to Longriver Mining Nig. Ltd., a mining company in Imbesev, was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a pupil of Love of Christ Nursery and Primary School, Jato-Aka, the headquarters of Turan,” the statement said.
TUDA further stated that repeated efforts by the association to engage the companies in lawful dialogue had been ignored, alleging that the firms preferred dealing with unauthorised individuals and illegal channels.
The association maintained that the Turan people could no longer watch helplessly while their land was being exploited, their environment destroyed, their children kidnapped, and their people killed without meaningful benefits accruing to the host communities.
It insisted that, with immediate effect, all mining activities in Turan land remained suspended until the companies entered into formal and transparent Community Development Agreements with TUDA, as stipulated by law.
TUDA also demanded that the companies meet all legal obligations to the entire Turan nation and affected communities, including Imbesev and Maav, through TUDA, while committing to responsible operations that guarantee the security and development of the 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 unauthorised 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 statement added.
