Sooro Community: Oyo gov’t committed to war against illegal miners
The Oyo State Government has reassured residents of Sooro Community of its commitment to addressing the challenges posed by illegal mining and other criminal activities to maintain peace and security in Kishi, Oke-Ogun area, Oyo state.
Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, CP Sunday Odukoya, reaffirmed the government’s proactive approach to containing the situation during a meeting held behind closed doors at the state secretariat.
He stated that among the measures previously taken were the apprehension of those responsible and the shutdown of the illegal Sooro market in Kishi.
Odukoya warned the resident not to assist lawbreakers and emphasised that there would be legal repercussions for anyone found guilty.
He said: “We just had an intensive meeting on security over the illegal mining happening in Oke-ogun especially in Sooro in Irepo Local Government area of the state.
“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.”
He added that the state government will not relent in ensuring that the area remains peaceful and that the market remains closed until further directive is given by the state governor, ‘Seyi Makinde.
It should be recalled that the Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal had during a clearance operation against the illegal miners at the Sooro market on Sunday ordered its closure and immediate evacuation of all illegal structures and shanties built across the market and the precious stones.
He warned that the state government will not hesitate to pounce on any individual involved in illegal mining activities in the state.
The closed door meeting had in attendance the Iba of Kishiland, Oba Mashoud Lawal, and other community leaders including the Chairman, Kishi Progressive Union and Bobajiro of Kishiland, Pharmacist Bioku Abdul-Rahman, who appreciated the state governor’Seyi Makinde for his efforts at tackling insecurity in the state.
Abdul-Rahman who spoke on behalf of the community equally commended the state Deputy Governor for his proactiveness over the incident.
Describing the meeting with the Deputy Governor as fruitful, he promised to utilize the advice given at the meeting in the best interest of the town.
Bobajiro equally assured readiness of Kishi indegene to support government in the fight against illegal mining activities.
The State Joint Security Task Force’s Director-General, Col. Oladipo Ajibola (Rtd), announced the arrest of 32 illegal miners, including two Chinese nationals, at the Kishi-Sooro Market.
He affirmed the cooperative efforts between traditional leaders and security forces, which resulted in the restoration of peace in the area.
Ilegal miners in collaboration with some hoodlums in Sooro community of Kishi area of Oke Ogun, had over the weekend attacked security operatives while raiding illegal lithium mining market.