Quarry workers petition FG over prolonged closure

Workers of Stone Rockers have petitioned the Federal Government over the continued closure of the company’s quarry in Kuje, Abuja, 13 months after it was sealed by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The workers, through the company, alleged that the quarry was shut on July 24, 2025, without a court order authorising the action.

The petition, submitted to the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, stated that NSCDC personnel led by the Mining Marshal Commandant, John Attah, sealed the quarry located at Gaube Farmland Layout, Barmishi Village, Kuje.

The company alleged that about 14 people were arrested during the operation, while granite samples were also taken away.

Speaking during a protest at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, a representative of Stone Rockers, Adeyeye Olugbenga, said the prolonged closure had affected more than 70 workers and their dependants.

He said the company held Quarry Lease No. 37326 for the site and had employed workers, carried out community development projects and paid royalties to the government before the closure.

The company alleged that the NSCDC ordered the shutdown after claiming that the quarry had encroached on land belonging to Lord Career Ventures Nigeria Limited.

The dispute has also resulted in a N5 billion lawsuit filed by Stone Rockers against the NSCDC, its Commandant-General and Attah at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2412/2025, seeks declarations that the closure of the quarry and seizure of the company’s equipment were unlawful, as well as the return of the equipment and payment of damages.

The case was assigned to Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In its latest petition, Stone Rockers said it had written to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, the Director-General of the Mining Cadastre Office and the NSCDC Commandant-General seeking clarification on the continued closure.

It, however, alleged that the responses received had failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the prolonged shutdown.

The company also disclosed that a criminal case had been instituted against its Managing Director over alleged illegal mining, with the Attorney-General of the Federation listed as the complainant.

According to the company, the court directed the complainant to serve the defendant with the proof of evidence, but the order had allegedly not been complied with nearly a year later.

Stone Rockers said it had also petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Inspector-General of Police over the matter.

The company called on President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the closure and order the reopening of the quarry.

While expressing support for the Federal Government’s efforts to combat illegal mining, Stone Rockers maintained that enforcement actions must comply with due process and the law.

It also urged the authorities to clarify the legal basis for the operations of the mining marshals and determine whether proper procedures were followed in shutting the quarry.