Wednesday 22 May 2019

Insecurity: Oyetola Threatens To Chase Out Illegal Miners

Worried by the influx of miners chased out of Zamfara into Osun State, Governor, Isiaka Oyetola on Tuesday threatened to chase out all illegal miners operating in the state.

Oyetola who disclosed that security report had indicated that kidnapping and other security challenges the state was facing were as a result of increase of illegal miners operating in the state.

Governor Oyetola warned the miners to expose those behind the criminal activities in the mining areas of the state, stressing that anyone harbouring them would face the music.

He said that his administration had resolved to register all miners operating as one of the panacea to curb criminality in the state.



Besides, he said serious steps are to be taken to prevent security lapses linked to some of the criminals who are operating as illegal miners in the state.

These are the high points of the Ife-Ijesa zonal security sensitisation meeting held on Tuesday in Ilesa.

The zone is where the vast gold deposit in the state is located.

Apart from the governor, Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi, Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola, other top government functionaries, traditional rulers led by Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, heads of security agencies in the state, leadership of artisanal miners and community leaders attended the meeting, which sought people’s cooperation in the fight against illegal mining, kidnapping, banditry and other vices now rearing their ugly heads in the state.

They appealed to residents to report any strange development in their domains for appropriate legal actions.

Governor Oyetola said, “The activities of illegal mining vendors, if not checked, will shatter the safety, security and peace of our people as they are capable of engaging in untoward behaviours.

“Already, there is an upsurge in criminal activities in this area. We have of recent been battling with kidnapping, harassment of people, and indiscriminate shootings on the highway, all traceable to the nefarious activities of some of the illegal miners.

“Should these high level crimes continue, government will be forced to take a drastic action, which will include but not limited to a total ban on mining activities in this state. To prevent the hammer from falling, all hands must be on deck to avoid criminality.

“So, all miners operating in this state must be registered to enable the government keep a record. Community leaders (the Serikis) must play a key role in ensuring that this directive on registration is faithfully carried out.





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