From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
Capital Apex Synergy Global Services, an indigenous mining company operating in Nasarawa State, has called on President Bola Tinubu and relevant government authorities to intervene in a mining dispute it says is stalling operations and threatening investor confidence.
At a press conference in Abuja over the weekend, the company alleged that another firm, DMA Global Ventures, has been operating on a site in Rafingaba, Kokona Local Government Area, which it claims is covered by its legally acquired mining licences.
Capital Apex presented documents it said proved legal ownership of the site, including Small Scale Mining Licences Nos. 036868 and 037075 issued by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, as well as consent letters from the host community, environmental permits, and a court injunction.
Aliyu Zubairu, spokesperson for Capital Apex, said the dispute has blocked the firm from commencing mining operations despite “significant financial investments” and urged the Federal Government to intervene urgently.
“In spite of our legal documentation and letters from the Ministry of Solid Minerals directing DMA Global to halt operations, they have continued activity on the site,” Zubairu claimed. “We are appealing to President Tinubu, the Minister of Solid Minerals, and security agencies to act swiftly in protecting lawful investors.”
He noted that the licences were initially issued to Bajas Nigeria Limited before being legally transferred to Capital Apex through a process registered with both federal and state authorities.
Zubairu added that the firm is in compliance with all regulatory requirements and operates in partnership with a foreign technical investor, Nizion, in line with mining sector guidelines that prohibit direct foreign ownership of mining titles.
To support its claim, the company also cited a court order from the High Court of Nasarawa State, dated March 11, 2025, which it said restrained DMA Global from undertaking any further activity on the site. It alleged that the order has not been complied with.
“This issue goes beyond property,” another company executive said. “It speaks to the rule of law, the future of youth employment, and the broader goals of Nigeria’s mining reforms. Our staff are idle, infrastructure is in place, but operations remain stalled.”
Zubairu further claimed that the host Agaza community has also petitioned the Mining Cadastral Office regarding the ongoing dispute.
When asked about reports of a security-related clash involving personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the company stated that the NSCDC mining marshals acted independently based on available documents and denied any suggestion of impropriety.
“The NSCDC officers only carried out their lawful mandate after reviewing our permits. We have not offered any inducement. We believe they are doing their job,” he said.
Capital Apex warned that continued uncertainty over the site could damage Nigeria’s efforts to attract and retain investment in the solid minerals sector. “We are not asking for favour. We are simply asking for the law to be enforced.”
Efforts to obtain comments from DMA Global Ventures were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the Senate is yet to take action on a petition submitted by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mining Marshals, alleging assault, intimidation, and obstruction by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Nasarawa State over the minisg site incident.
The petition, submitted to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, was presented by the Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, John Onoja Attah.
According to the document, the incident occurred on April 3, 2025, when officers from the Force Intelligence Department (FID) allegedly opened fire on four NSCDC personnel deployed to guard the sealed illegal mining site.
The officers identified in the petition as victims of the alleged assault are Yarima Yunusa, Hasuruna Lamshi, Oliver Kutaya, and Raymond Ibrahim.
Attah stated that the officers had been lawfully assigned to the site, which was previously shut down by the NSCDC in October 2024 following arrests related to illegal mining.
“The actions of the police not only endangered our officers but also undermined our lawful efforts to prosecute illegal mining activities,” the petition read. “We are seeking the intervention of the Senate to ensure justice is served and that inter-agency sabotage does not derail the fight against mineral theft.”
The petition alleged that the police arrested the NSCDC officers without justification and attempted to frame them as the aggressors. It further claimed that the police subsequently removed all NSCDC presence from the site and allowed mining operations to resume.
The document also cited a similar confrontation in Lege community, Ondo State, in February 2025, where NSCDC personnel were reportedly assaulted by police officers during another anti-mining operation.
The Senate Committee which will soon go on annual recess may convene a hearing or summon the relevant security agencies this week.