Residents of ACO Phase 2 in Lugbe, Abuja, staged a protest early Saturday morning over the activities of a Chinese mining company, accusing it of endangering lives and property within the community.
The protesters, who gathered as early as 7:00 a.m., carried placards and chanted slogans demanding the shutdown or relocation of the company. They alleged that years of operations have caused structural damage to homes, with visible cracks linked to heavy-duty activities and ground vibrations.
Beyond property damage, residents made serious claims that Quarryi’s operations have led to multiple deaths over the past two years. They also said some residents are currently receiving treatment in hospitals due to incidents linked to the company’s activities, although these claims have not been independently verified.
Chairman of the ACO Phase 2 Estate, Mr. Sony Kunifiye, said the community had formally escalated its complaints to multiple authorities, including the Inspector General of Police, the FCT Minister, the Minister of Solid Minerals, the AMAC Chairman, and the Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
According to him, tensions heightened following a fatal incident on February 27, 2026, which he alleged was caused by one of the company’s blasts.
Kunifiye further revealed that NESREA had previously sealed the company over violations, but operations allegedly resumed about a week later, with continued blasting activities.
He accused the company of exceeding approved blasting limits, which residents say has led to visible cracks in buildings and compromised structural integrity across the estate.
The protesters further accused truck drivers associated with the company of reckless driving, alleging that they speed through residential roads “as if no one lives there,” thereby putting lives at constant risk.
Environmental concerns were also highlighted, with residents pointing to persistent dust pollution from trucks operating in the area. According to them, the dust has worsened living conditions and raised health concerns, particularly for children and the elderly.
Tensions escalated during the protest as security operatives intervened. A representative of Quarryi was apprehended by the police and taken to a police station for questioning. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the development.
Residents are calling on relevant government agencies to urgently investigate the company’s activities, enforce safety and environmental regulations, and ensure accountability.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from Quarryi, while residents insist they will continue to push for action until their concerns are addressed.
Report by Princess Alabi