Senator Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State has raised the alarm over the unregulated influx of people from northern states into the state’s mining communities, warning that some arrivals are importing banditry and criminal activities that have destabilised the North West.
Concerned that the development poses a security threat, the governor also announced the establishment of a mining community intelligence architecture to strengthen surveillance and intelligence gathering across mining communities, particularly in the Ife-Ijesa axis.
Adeleke made this known on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ conference on mining security in Osogbo, convened to address emerging security challenges in the state’s mining sector.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Samuel Ojo, Adeleke said the conference brought together security chiefs, traditional rulers, mining firms, environmental activists and community leaders to develop a coordinated security framework for the sector.
He said the state government was concerned about the “sudden and unregulated influx” of people from Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states into mining communities.
Concern
“The government is concerned about the sudden and unregulated influx of persons from states like Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi into our mining communities. While we do not discriminate against Nigerians seeking legitimate work, intelligence shows that this movement is not just about mining.
“Some of these elements are bringing with them the same criminal templates that have destroyed communities in the North West: armed camps, illegal taxation, recruitment of youths, and creation of parallel authority. If we do not act now, the peace Osun is known for will be sacrificed on the altar of gold,” Adeleke said.
The governor commended security agencies and community-based security groups for monitoring activities in the mining sector but said the government was intensifying efforts in response to emerging threats.
According to him, there are credible intelligence reports indicating the presence of suspected bandit elements around the Ibodi forests and the movement of suspicious armed persons along the Ilesa corridor.
“We have also observed that some foreign nationals and non-Nigerians are infiltrating our communities. They speak local languages, carry fake IDs, and pretend to be from other Nigerian states. Their mission is not mining. Their mission is to establish a base.
“Community leaders, you must help us profile everyone. If you did not birth him, if you did not invite him, and you cannot vouch for him, then he does not belong in your community,” he said.
To strengthen security, Adeleke announced the creation of a mining community intelligence architecture linking mining sites, community security committees, traditional rulers, Divisional Police Officers and the State Security Council.
He directed that every major mining community should constitute a seven-member Community Security Committee within 14 days.
“I charge all stakeholders to give maximum cooperation to the Military, Police, DSS, NSCDC, and Amotekun. Open your sites for patrols. Share information early. Do not shield criminals because they are ‘bringing money’,” the governor said.
He urged community leaders to take ownership of the initiative, adding, “Osun State will not be a hiding place for bandits. Our gold will not be used to fund terrorism. Let us build this intelligence architecture together. Let us secure our land together.”
Credit: punchng.com
