The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding agricultural land across the state, vowing to prevent encroachment and ensure farmlands are preserved strictly for food production and agricultural development.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Bolu Owootomo, made this known in a telephone interview, stressing that the protection of farmlands remains a top priority of the administration.

Owootomo spoke while reacting to allegations of illegal mining activities by SAF Investment and Property Company Limited in Iloro I, Iloro II and Ibiri villages in the Ado-Odo area of the state.

According to the Commissioner, the state government has ordered the immediate cessation of all unauthorised mining activities being carried out by the company in the affected communities.

He explained that no approval or directive was issued by the state government permitting mining operations in the area, prompting swift intervention once the activities came to the attention of the authorities.

“Upon becoming aware of the situation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security engaged the company directly. The company acknowledged the concerns raised and agreed to halt all operations at the site immediately,” Owootomo said.

He added that SAF Investment and Property Company Limited has commenced the evacuation of its equipment and materials from the locations, noting that the process is already underway.

“To ensure compliance, formal communication, including a written notice, has been issued to document the agreement,” he stated.

The Commissioner further assured residents of the affected communities that the company would no longer operate in the area, emphasizing that monitoring and enforcement measures remain in place to prevent future violations.

Meanwhile, an advocacy group, the Ibile Justice Forum, had earlier raised the alarm over the alleged illegal mining activities in Iloro I, Iloro II and Ibiri villages.

In a statement jointly signed by Comrade Ifeoluwa Amoo and Comrade Ganiu Owolabi, the group described the activities as a threat to an agrarian community and a disruption to livelihoods dependent on farming.

The Forum accused the company of arbitrarily exploiting a farm settlement designated for agricultural development, leaving the community economically disadvantaged and environmentally unsafe.

The group also alleged the involvement of some traditional institutions in aiding the operations and called on the Federal Government, the Ogun State Government and the Inspector General of Police to intervene to avert a breakdown of law and order.

It further claimed that the Ministry of Agriculture had withdrawn an earlier approval allegedly granted to the company and directed it to cease mining activities via a memo dated January 28, 2025, questioning why operations reportedly continued thereafter.