News
Two Chinese, 30 others arrested by Oyo govt for illegal mining
Oyo State Government, on Monday, said it has arrested 32 illegal miners, including two Chinese nationals over activities of illegal miners at Sooro market in Kishi, Irepo Local Government Area of the state.
The state Director-General of Operation Burst, Col James Oladipo Ajibola, announced this shortly after a critical security stakeholders’ meeting held at the Deputy Governor’s Office, Agodi in Ibadan, the state capital.
It will be recalled that the state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal had, during a clearance operation against the illegal miners at the market, on Sunday, ordered its closure and immediate evacuation of all illegal structures and shanties built across the market and the precious stones.
According to Ajibola, the collaborative efforts of traditional leaders and the joint security task force enabled the instant restoration of peace and order in the area.
He said: “About 32 illegal miners, including two Chinese migrants, were arrested at the Kishi-Sooro market and are currently undergoing investigation at the moment.”
The State Government, had earlier announced the closure of the market over the activities of illegal miners in the market.
The Executive Assistant to State Governor, Seyi Makinde on Security, retd CP Sunday Odukoya, who addressed newsmen warned that the government would not hesitate to pounce on any individual involved in illegal mining activities in the state.
Read also:
Odukoya also cautioned indigenes against colluding with illegal miners as the government was ready to deal decisively with erring people.
“We just had an intensive meeting on security over the illegal mining happening in Oke-Ogun, especially in Sooro in Irepo Local Government. The government has taken its position which means that everybody has to stand up to their responsibility to ensure adequate peace in the region.
“The Kabiesi, Iba of Kishi, Oba Mashoud Lawal has promised to make sure the area is free of hoodlums and that all the criminalities within his area will definitely come to an end.
“The government will not relent in ensuring that the area remains peaceful and the market remains closed until further directive is given by the State Governor, Seyi Makinde.” He added.
Join the conversation
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.
INVESTIGATION: In Kwara, multimillion-naira milk processing plant is abandoned, converted to a chicken outlet
After the government spent millions of naira to establish a milk processing plant in Kwara State that would provided jobs...
SPECIAL REPORT: For Sokoto communities, promise of healthcare is akin to death sentence
In this story, ABDULRASHEED HAMMAD delves into the dire realities of Primary Health Care services in Sokoto State, shedding light...
ICYMI…SPECIAL REPORT: NNPCL hides behind PIA to frustrate disclosure, accountability
Nigeria’s major oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), in what appears to be a common practice of disregard...
INVESTIGATION: Multi-million naira Ekiti resort center remains uncompleted a decade after
The multimillion-naira project, expected to comprise recreational buildings, now consists of cassava farmland, a bush used for excretion, and a...
SPECIAL REPORT: Torturous experiences of students with disabilities in Oyo tertiary institutions
For students with disabilities in Oyo state-owned tertiary institutions, learning is a torturous and distressing experience, considering the building structures...