By Usman Abdullahi 

The Nasarawa State Government has ordered Lideal Mines Company to immediately cease mining activities and vacate the Endo Community in the Udege Development Area. The directive was announced on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Princess Margaret Elayo, during a press briefing in Lafia.

The government said the decision followed consultations with stakeholders, security evaluations, and a review of mining operations in the state.

The Nasarawa State Government has directed Lideal Mines Company to immediately withdraw all operational activities from the Endo Community in the Udege Development Area of the state.

The directive, reportedly approved by Governor Abdullahi Sule, was communicated on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Princess Margaret Elayo, during a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Lafia.

According to the commissioner, the action followed extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, security assessments, and a broader review of mining operations across the state.

She stated that all operational facilities belonging to Lideal Mines Company, including machinery, trucks, personnel, and other mining equipment, must be removed from the site immediately.

Princess Margaret Elayo further disclosed that the government had issued a compliance timeline requiring the company to halt mining operations completely and stop the movement of raw materials from the affected area.

She said the move reflects the administration’s commitment to enforcing lawful mining practices while prioritising community welfare and sustainable economic development.

The commissioner noted that the state government is pursuing reforms aimed at repositioning the mining sector to attract responsible investment and ensure that host communities benefit directly from mining activities.

She also stressed the importance of aligning mining operations with government policy, particularly the establishment of mineral processing facilities capable of creating local economic value.

To ensure compliance, the state government said security personnel would be deployed to monitor activities at the mining site and prevent unauthorised operations.
Relevant security agencies, she added, have been directed to maintain law and order in the area as the reforms are implemented.

The government also called on all stakeholders, including host communities and mining operators, to remain peaceful, cooperative, and law-abiding throughout the process.

During the briefing, Princess Margaret Elayo expressed appreciation to Diamond New Energy Investment Company for establishing a lithium processing factory in the state, describing the investment as consistent with Governor Sule’s vision of transforming Nasarawa into a major investment destination.

She urged both Lideal Mines Company and Diamond New Energy Investment Company to return to negotiations with the state government to resolve disputes surrounding cadastral units in Endo Village within the Udege Development Area.

The latest development comes after a Federal High Court sitting in Lafia reportedly ordered Lideal Mines Company to stop mining activities in Nasarawa State.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Mobolaji Olubukola Olajuwon of the Federal High Court, Lafia.