The Olumafon of Imafon in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Aliu Adegbehingbe, has declared support for Dortmund Quarry Nigeria Limited in the ongoing dispute over alleged encroachment on the company’s land, dismissing claims that an entire community exists within the quarry site.
Journalists who visited the quarry observed that only two buildings were located within the fenced property while One of the houses bore a patched roof, said to have been hit by flying rocks during earlier blasting operations.
Speaking with newsmen, the monarch stressed that the company had been operating legally on Imafon land for over 15 years with the consent of the community.
“As far as Imafon community is concerned, we have no issue with Dortmund. He signed an agreement with the community, with the family, youth leaders and market women. I personally signed with him. Dortmund is a good man. Myself, I am a good man too,” Oba Adegbehingbe said.
He explained that while some individuals had erected houses near the quarry, they were not recognised as a community.
“I called them to come so that we can resolve it, but they didn’t come back. I am still expecting them,” the monarch added.
During the inspection, the site manager, Engineer Samuel Akinsiku, explained that Dortmund acquired the land in 2013 and fenced it off, but later discovered illegal buildings inside the premises.
“Odimayo and another woman built on our land, on our rock. We fenced the place and even marked their house to stop work, but they continued. Two houses cannot be called a community,” Akinsiku stated.
On safety concerns, blasting engineer Kehinde Olubamidele assured that modern methods were being deployed to minimise risks.
“We use controlled blasting with stemming to reduce fly rocks. Even then, a single stone can be dangerous if it hits someone. That is why people cannot safely live inside a quarry land,” he said.
Managing Director of Dortmund Quarry, Mr. Pius Ayodele, also clarified media reports that the company refused compensation.
“There is nothing like that. What we said is that there are no communities there—only two houses. Two houses can never be a community. We have an agreement with the nearest community, Imafon, and the monarch can confirm this,” Ayodele told journalists.
Ayodele further alleged that a surveyor’s mischief was responsible for the land dispute.
“It was the same surveyor who introduced us to the family that sold us the land who later went behind to sell plots close to our quarry to these people. That is where the mischief came from. But the truth remains—our land was legally acquired, and encroachers are trespassers,” he added.
He further disclosed that the company had taken legal action against the encroachers, with the matter already before a competent court.
The journalists’ visit and the monarch’s position appear to strengthen the company’s case, particularly against narratives suggesting that an entire community is under threat from quarry operations.
