The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has called on the Abia State Government to intervene in what it describes as illegal granite mining activities in the Imobi Autonomous Community of Isuikwuato Local Government Area. In a formal statement issued on Wednesday, January 22, 2026, the advocacy group condemned the initiation of quarrying operations in the area, alleging that the project has bypassed mandatory legal requirements and lacked the broad consent of the local population.
According to FENRAD, the mining activities reportedly commenced without a valid Environmental Impact Assessment or a Community Development Agreement, both of which are statutory requirements under Nigerian law. The organization raised concerns that a small group of individuals may have signed consent documents and registered a mining company, identified as Lime I International Nigeria Ltd, without the knowledge or approval of the broader community, which includes the villages of Amaedi, Amanyanwu, and Onuzo.
The situation has sparked local unrest, with women from the Imobi Autonomous Community recently staging a peaceful protest. During the demonstration, participants displayed placards rejecting the legitimacy of the consent letters and demanding that no quarrying operations should take place without a formal development agreement. These grievances were echoed by the traditional institution, as the Secretary General for His Royal Highness Eze Simeon Chimezie Chukwuemeka reportedly confirmed that the traditional leadership was never consulted regarding the mining permits.
FENRAD warned that unregulated granite quarrying poses significant risks to the public health and livelihoods of the Imobi people. The organization noted that the community relies heavily on agriculture and natural water sources, both of which face threats from land degradation, groundwater pollution, and air contamination caused by dust particles. Furthermore, the group highlighted the dangers of noise pollution and physical safety hazards associated with blasting activities and abandoned pits.
In response to these developments, FENRAD Executive Director Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor urged Governor Alex Otti and the Abia State Ministry of Environment to order an immediate suspension of all quarry-related activities in the area. The group is demanding a full investigation into the legality of the permits and a transparent, inclusive consultation process that prioritizes environmental sustainability and the protection of community rights. FENRAD concluded by praising the local women for their peaceful defense of their land and pledged to continue monitoring the situation to ensure justice is served.
