The Oyo State government has announced the arrest of illegal miners in Idi-Ayunre, located in the Oluyole Local Government Area of the state, and the confiscation of the facility utilized by the miners for the processing of unlawfully extracted minerals.
The state Governor, Seyi Makinde, who made this known on Saturday in a statement said that the undisclosed number of illegal miners were arrested following a tip off about a facility they were using in the area to process illegally mined minerals.
The governor who said the government was able to arrest the culprits due to cooperation with the citizens, stressed that the government’s efforts is to prevent the recurrence of explosion that ricked the Bodija area of Ibadan, the state capital in January, an incident which the governor attributed to the activities of illegal miners in the area.
Governor Makinde also lamented the state government’s inability to extradite the Malians indicted in the Bodija explosion who are on the run, noting that the government is having difficulties in extraditing them because of Mali’s pull out from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The governor said, “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.
“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.”
