No fewer than twenty-six illegal miners have been apprehended by the Security Task Force, in collaboration with officers of the Nigerian Army, in Laje, Ondo town, Ondo State.
In a statement issued by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the arrests took place during a security operation on September 8th. This arrest follows a similar operation in August where twelve illegal miners were arrested in various parts of the state.
While addressing journalists at the 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Cantonment, during the handover of the suspects, the State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Rasaq Obe, highlighted the importance of the arrests in preventing potential disasters.
He warned that unchecked illegal mining activities could lead to the presence of terrorists, kidnappers, murderers, and rapists within the forests. He further commended the proactive measures taken by the Nigerian Army to eradicate illegal mining operations in these areas.
He said: “Wherever there is illegal mining, there will be banditry; they acquire arms, and kidnapping becomes easier. They operate in the shadows.
“They also negatively impact farmers because they pose a direct security threat, degrade the environment, and pollute our waters. Illegal mining is abhorrent to any civilized environment.”
He noted that Governor Aiyedatiwa is very pleased with the arrests, emphasizing the governor’s commitment to eliminating illegal mining activities in the state.
Mr. Obe, while warning other illegal miners that their arrest was imminent, praised the Army officers for their timely intervention, expressing confidence that illegal mining would soon be completely eradicated from the state.
The commissioner also commended the efforts of the security task force coordinator, Gbenga Atiba, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, and his team for their success in apprehending the illegal miners.
He also appreciated other security agencies and relevant stakeholders for their contributions in ensuring that illegal mining has no place in the state, urging citizens to report any suspected illegal mining activities for swift action.
One of the arrested miners, 20-year-old Suleiman Hassan from Zamfara State, revealed that this was his first operation in the state. He stated that he was introduced to the business by Alhaji Abdullahi and Alhaji Sule, both of whom are currently at large.
