JUST IN: Oyo gov Makinde busts suspected illegal miners at Idi-Ayunre Ibadan
Khalid ABRAHAM
Oyo state governor Engr Seyi Makinde has uncovered the activities of some suspected illegal miners at Idi-Ayunre in Oluyole local government area of Oyo state
According to a Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) post by the governor a facility allegedly being used to process illegally mined minerals was stormed following a tip-off by members of the public with some arrests being made.
The governor said he moved fast in order to forestall a recurrence of the Bodija incident last month which led to the death of a number of people and caused widespread destructions.
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Makinde assured his administration would continue to be proactive while appealing to the citizens of the state to continue to cooperate with the government by promptly alerting it to activities of criminals.
He informed the Malians who allegedly caused the Bodija incident are yet to be apprehended as they fled following the blast regretting the pulling out of Mali from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has made it more difficult for the long arm of the law to catch up with the suspects.
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The post reads, “In our efforts to prevent a recurrence of the Bodija Incident, we were at Idi-Ayunre, following a tip off about a facility which was being used to process illegally mined minerals.
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“I can report that those involved have been arrested and are in custody and we are working to prosecute them. Our government has also taken over the facility pending the investigations and prosecution.
“We were able to apprehend the culprits because the government and citizens worked together in a timely manner to bust their operations.
“Let me take this opportunity to report that we are still trying to extradite the Malians indicted in the Bodija Incident who are on the run. We are having difficulties because Mali pulled out of ECOWAS. We will continue to deploy diplomatic means to ensure they are brought to book.
“Please continue to support our efforts to rid our State of illegal activities. If you see something, say something and the authorities will do something. 615 is the toll-free number to call when you notice any security breaches.”
