Ebonyi community protests against mining company

The people of Ihi­etutu community of Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State at the weekend took to the streets protesting non-compliance of the terms of agreement in the lease signed by the community and a private firm. The protesters number­ing about 2, 000 comprised men, women, youths, chil­dren and the aged, staged a peaceful protest against the company demanding that the firm should stop mining operations in the area.    The aggrieved vil­lagers also alleged that one Victor was beaten to death during a mayhem allegedly sponsored by the compa­ny.            The Chairman of Ihietutu Development Union, Elder Paulinus Okoro, while address­ing the protesters said that since the company began its mining operations in the community, the natives have not had peace.
But the chairman of the company denied every alle­gation levelled against the company, saying that the company never sponsored youths to kill anybody or to cause disaffection among the community.