The Berom Youths Moulders-Association (BYM), has vehemently kick against continue illegal mining exploration calling 
for Immediate revocation of Mining Lease No. ML-129 at Latya, Du District, Jos South LGA, Plateau State issued to one Mr. Joshua Egbagbe within 7 days.

BYM acknowledges Constitutional provisions in respect to mineral resources vested in Federal Govt.But argued that it does not extinguish rights of lawful landowners/host communities as laws require access consent, community relations, environmental obligations, compensation, and Community Development Agreement (CDA).

Speaking to newsmen on Wednesday at the NUJ Secretariat Jos, The BYM President Barr. Solomon Nwantiri stated that granting mining title does not automatically give right to enter land.

Nwantiri said the BYM is much concerned about the circumstances surrounding the alleged reliance on Mining Lease No. ML-129 by Mr. Joshua Egbagbe. "Just as every land in has its historical background the people hold unto and project, so also every Mining Lease. 

"This makes us to take a cursory look at an earlier mining title reportedly referred to as Mining Lease No. ML-126, associated with Mining Technologies Company Limited owned by Russians foreign investors, who had explored mineral resources in the area sometime in 1997 where the community executed an agreement that was for only four (4) year which elapsed in 2001. 

While a petition dated 20th September, 2016 was filed to the Hon. Miniter of Mines and Steel Minerals Development against the renewal of the above lease initially used by Mr. Joshua Egbabe during the pendency of a matter instituted at the High Court  and an Appeal before the Court of Appeal in Jos regarding the land ML-126 covered, and reply dated 13th October, 2016 staying action until the determination of the matter, it was shocking that Mr. Joshua, without either waiting for the determination of the pending matter in court", Nwantiri revealed.

He further disclosed that, shockingly, Mr. Joshua Egbagbe, without waiting for court, without revoking ML-126 or getting consent, covertly applied and obtained new lease ML-129 covering same disputed land.

 He also confirmed that Mr. Joshua Egbagbe continue 
parading himself as owner of land, not known to host community, no community/ landowners consent obtained.

"No CDA signed, no single project executed for community in 29 years of using lease. Instead Egbagbe choose to used
Nigeria Police Force, NSCDC personnel to arbitrarily arrest, detain, arraign, intimidate, harass community members.

BYM demand withdrawal of all security personnel at the Latya mining site within 24 hours in absence of valid court order or lawful directive as their resence heightens tension.

"We demanded immediate revocation of ML-129 by Mining Cadastre Office.Investigation into relationship between ML-126 and ML-129 - can two leases cover same land? Investigation into how ML-129 was processed/granted. Verification of compliance with CDA requirements. CP Plateau to investigate who requested/ authorized police deployment.

"Federal Government should investigate use of Police and Civil Defence at site, cease use of security to intimidate/harass/ arrest community, release unlawfully detained members,
discontinue/review all cases against community if no legal foundation, arrest, investigation and possible prosecution of Mr. Joshua Egbagbe for defying verification committee set up by Governor Caleb Mutfwang", they demanded.

BYM threatened that if Federal Government and Plateau State Government failed to revoke ML-129 from Mr. Joshua Egbeba within one week, they will left with no choice than to stage a peaceful protest.