By CHARLES ONYEKWERE

A major crisis is looming in the Ndufu-Alike axis of Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State as indigenes of Enyim Agalegu Edukwu Opeke community have raised the alarm over alleged illegal underground mining activities being carried out by a Chinese firm in connivance with some local collaborators.

They made the allegation in a strongly-worded petition addressed to the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.

The community youths in the petition accused four individual of colluding with the foreign company to conduct unauthorized underground mining on sacred community land, including the revered ancestral shrine located in Ugwogo Forest.

The petition, signed by the Youth President, Mr. Ogbuinya Livinus, alleged that the mining activities are illegal and in violation of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007, particularly Section 61.

They noted that the law mandates an environmental impact assessments report, community engagement, and federal certification before any such activity can begin.

According to them, none of these requirements were met by the company before embarking in the alleged illegal mining.

“The shrine has been our ancestral deity since centuries ago,” the petition reads. “Its desecration by this Chinese firm and their local accomplices is not only a cultural affront but also a spiritual violation.

"The underground mining poses serious environmental risks including potential tunnel collapse, land subsidence, and even earthquake-like consequences.”, the said.

In a disturbing twist, the petitioners alleged that the Chinese company, in collaboration with the aforementioned individuals, has begun arresting and harassing community youths who have peacefully resisted the unauthorized mining.

The youths further revealed that no license was granted to the Chinese firm for underground mining on the disputed land.

According to them, the original leaseholder, Royal Salt Limited, which was officially granted mining rights over the land, has distanced itself from the Chinese firm's operations.

"Royal Salt has categorically denied granting any license or permission to the Chinese company to enter the land, much less mine it," the petition noted.

The situation, the petitioners claimed, is further compounded by the fact that the Chinese company has gone far beyond any designated mining boundaries.

They alleged that the firm is now digging dangerously close to the Royal Salt mining dump, a development they warned could have catastrophic consequences.

“They are digging deeper than they were ever permitted and heading towards the Royal Salt mining dump.

"This reckless activity could trigger seismic tremors, cause collapses and endanger lives. If the heavy rains persist, the village could witness a disaster of unimaginable scale,” the petition warned.

The community called on Governor Nwifuru to issue an immediate executive order halting the illegal operations and to launch a full-scale investigation into the involvement of the Chinese firm and its local collaborators.

“We are still holding our peace in respect of your peace initiative in Ebonyi State through your People's Charter of Needs. But we urge you to act now before it's too late”, the petitioners concluded.