BUA seeks President's support to end mining rights squabble

Nigerian conglomerate BUA group has asked Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari, to intervene in its argument with Dangote group over limestone mining rights.

BUA's Chairman, Abdulsamad Rabiu, said Dangote group was undermining security around his plant in southwest Edo state, a region with limestone. Dangote's cement operation is in the central state of Kogi.

The mines ministry said BUA group does not have a mining lease for the disputed site, which is the subject of a legal case, and it had issued a stop work order to BUA. It added the area was within a section owned by Dangote.

"Our cement business has of late come under intense, consistent attacks ... as the minister, Dangote group and their cohorts have sought to employ instruments of state ... to forcefully wrest control of our mining areas," BUA said in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari and seen by Reuters on Wednesday.