Latya Mining Dispute: BYM Gives Govt One Week to Act, Threatens Protest
By Comfort Pius, Jos
The Berom Youth Molders-Association (BYM) has given the Federal and Plateau State Governments a one-week ultimatum to address the disputed mining lease in Latya Community, Du District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, threatening to embark on peaceful protest if its demands are not met.
The association, led by its President, Dalyop Mwantiri, Esq., issued the ultimatum on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, during a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Secretariat, Jos.
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The group is demanding, among other things, the immediate revocation of Mining Lease No. ML-129, allegedly granted to one Joshua Egbagbe, and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding its issuance.
The BYM also called for an investigation into the deployment of personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to the disputed mining site, questioning who authorised the deployment and under what authority.
Mwantiri said the association recognised the constitutional and statutory position that mineral resources are vested in the Federal Government but maintained that such ownership should not, in its view, extinguish the lawful interests of landowners and host communities.
He alleged that the leaseholder had failed to adequately observe due process in relation to the disputed mining lease and accused him of allegedly using security agencies to intimidate, harass, arrest, and detain some members of the Latya community.
The association also raised concerns over the relationship between ML-129 and an earlier mining title, ML-126, which it said was previously associated with Mining Technologies Company Limited.
According to the BYM, the company explored mineral resources in the area in 1997 under an agreement with the community which lasted four years and expired in 2001.
The group alleged that while issues concerning the renewal of ML-126 were pending before the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and in court, a fresh lease, ML-129, was allegedly obtained over land connected to the earlier dispute.
It therefore called on the Federal Government to establish the authenticity, validity, and legal status of ML-129 and determine whether all statutory requirements were satisfied before the lease was granted.
The association further alleged that the host community had not been adequately carried along in the mining activities and claimed that no Community Development Agreement had been executed with the community.
On the alleged security deployment, the BYM called on the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command; the NSCDC Commandant in the state; and the Plateau State Government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deployment and make public the authority or person that requested it.
Mwantiri maintained that security agencies should not be used by private individuals to settle disputed ownership, mining titles, or commercial matters, stressing that any criminal allegations against community members should be independently investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The group also demanded the release of any community member it alleged was being unlawfully detained in connection with the dispute and urged the Attorneys-General of the Federation and Plateau State to review cases reportedly instituted against members of the community.
The BYM further demanded that police and other security personnel vacate the mining site within 24 hours in the absence of a valid court order or lawful directive authorising their continued presence.
The association, however, said it remained committed to peace and urged members of the Latya community, youths of Du District, and the Berom nationality to remain calm and law-abiding.
It warned that if the Federal and Plateau State Governments failed to address its demands, particularly the call for revocation of ML-129, within one week, it would exercise what it described as its constitutional right to peaceful assembly and lawful protest.
“Our demand is for justice, transparency, due process, and the rule of law. We do not support violence, destruction of property, or confrontation with security agencies,” Mwantiri said.
The statement was jointly signed by Mwantiri, President of the BYM, and Emmanuel Mangu, Secretary-General of the association.
