“Illicit Black Sand Rush: Bayelsa Govt Drags 27 Coastal Communities Into Emergency Crackdown Meeting!”
By Passman Akpos
The Bayelsa State Government has called an emergency meeting with traditional and community leadership across three coastal Local Government Areas over escalating illegal mining activities involving suspected foreign collaborators.
According to a circular issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Community Development, Hon. Watson Alfred Belemote, the meeting will take place on Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Onopa by 12 noon. The session will be presided over by the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
The government said the urgent engagement became necessary following intelligence reports linking foreign operators to illicit extraction of black sand and other mineral deposits across several coastal settlements in the state.
Community stakeholders expected at the meeting include paramount rulers, youth presidents, Community Development Committee (CDC) chairmen and women leaders from Brass, Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor LGAs.
Communities Invited
BRASS LGA:Okpoama
Die-Ama
Sangana
Odio-Ama
Ibidi
Beletie-Ama
Oginibiri
Fish Town
UAC
Ekebeleu-Ama
SOUTHERN IJAW LGA:
Ezetu 1
Ezetu 2
Koluama 1
Koluama 2
Ekeni
Foropa
EKEREMOR LGA:
Agbere
Agge Palm Bush
Orobiri
Aghoro
Azamabiri
Lagos Camp
Asumabio
Solomon-ama
Ngodiowei
Amatu 1
Amatu 2
Amazon
Ogbointu
The government expressed concern over the environmental and security implications of illegal sand mining, warning that the practice threatens coastlines and could worsen erosion and pollution affecting local livelihoods.
The Monday meeting is expected to deliberate on the scale of the mining operations, profiles of those involved, immediate response strategies and a framework for collaboration between government and the local communities.
Government officials emphasized that the administration will not condone any activities capable of exposing coastal environments to irreversible damage or undermining the state’s mineral regulations.
