By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
A mining firm, Capital Apex Synergy Global Services, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other key government officials to intervene in a protracted mining dispute in Rafingaba urgently, Kokona Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, where it claims its operations have been unlawfully obstructed.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, the company’s spokesperson, Aliyu Zubairu, alleged that a rival firm, Day May-A Global Ventures, had illegally encroached on a mining site over which Capital Apex holds valid licences.
Zubairu displayed several official documents—including mining licences, ministerial correspondence, and a court injunction—to support the firm’s legal claim to the site.
He accused Day May-A Global of continuing operations on the land in defiance of regulatory directives and judicial orders.
He said, “We are calling on the President, the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals, the Inspector-General of Police, and all relevant agencies to intervene decisively.
“This issue transcends corporate rivalry—it speaks directly to investor confidence, the sanctity of the rule of law, and the future of Nigeria’s mining sector.”
Capital Apex claims to hold two valid Small Scale Mining Licences (SML Nos. 036868 and 037075), originally issued to Bajas Nigerian Limited and subsequently acquired through a lawful transfer process.
Despite heavy investment—running into billions of naira—and a technical partnership with a foreign firm, Zubairu said the company has been unable to commence operations due to persistent disruptions allegedly instigated by Day May-A Global Ventures.
He stated that a High Court injunction, dated March 11, 2025, restraining Day May-A Global from further activities on the disputed land, has reportedly been flouted.
Zubairu said, “We have complied with all legal and regulatory requirements, including community consent, registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, and mobilisation directives from the Ministry. Yet, our access remains blocked.”
He said the host community has also petitioned the Mining Cadastral Office, urging the revocation of Day May-A Global’s licence (SML No. 619) on the grounds of alleged misrepresentation and overlapping coordinates.
Capital Apex further alleged that security operatives were enabling the continued disruption.
Due to the ongoing dispute, Capital Apex has been forced to suspend all site development, maintaining only a security and skeletal staff presence.
Zubairu warned that the continued obstruction poses safety risks to workers, threatens job creation, and is driving away potential investors.
He said, “Each day of delay costs us money, jobs, and investor confidence. If this continues, Nigeria will be seen as hostile to genuine investors in the mining sector.”
Efforts by our correspondent to reach Day May-A Global Ventures for comments were unsuccessful, as the firm’s spokesperson’s mobile line, made available, did not connect as of the time of filing this report.
*As Senate probes alleged police assault on NSCDC officers at contested site
Meanwhile, the Senate has launched a formal probe into a petition by the NSCDC Mining Marshals, alleging assault and obstruction by police operatives at the contested site.
The petition, submitted by Commander John Onoja Attah, accused personnel from the Force Intelligence Department (FID) of physically assaulting four NSCDC officers—Yarima Yunusa, Hasuruna Lamshi, Oliver Kutaya, and Raymond Ibrahim, who were deployed to guard the site after it was sealed.
According to the petition, the incident occurred on April 3, 2025, when police allegedly opened fire on NSCDC officers, arrested them without cause, and attempted to frame them as aggressors.
The site had reportedly been closed by the NSCDC in October 2024.
However, the Corps claims the police later took over the premises and allowed mining to resume.
Part of the petition read, “The actions of the police not only endangered our officers but also undermined the nation’s fight against mineral theft,” the petition reads. We urge the Senate to intervene and prevent inter-agency sabotage.”
A member of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, who requested anonymity, confirmed to ThisNigeria on conditions of anonymity yesterday that the affected officers have been summoned to testify at a hearing scheduled for this week.
