By Adeyinka Adeniran
Oyo state government have arrested four individuals due to their alleged illegal mining activities in the state.
The government also said it is investigating the immigration status of two Chinese nationals who are said to be the leaders of the illegal mining operations.
Governor Seyi Makinde made the disclosure while addressing journalists shortly after inspecting a Yard around Idi Ayunre, Oluyole local government along the Ibadan- Lagos Express Road on Saturday.
Speaking, Governor Makinde who expressed dismay at the activities of the suspects said, based on the available records, the Yard was approved to be a recycling plant for tyres and batteries.
It was however discovered throught intelligence gathering that the operators have been using the Yard to crush lithium among other illicit mining activities.
The governor lamented that the illegal miners seem to be getting bolder by the day due to the support they enjoy from supposed powers that be and constitutional provisions where they get licenses from Abuja without input from the state government.
He said but, anytime there are issues arising from their activities, the state government is left to bear the brunt alone.
At the Yard, Corenews observed two heavy trucks, crushing machines and crushed and bagged lithium which were stacked to be loaded in the trucks. One of the trucks was also observed loaded with the bagged lithium.
Makinde said “Well, you can see what is going on here, it is still the same problem of illegal mining activities and the folks are even getting bolder and bolder.
“This place, according to record available to us was meant to be a yard to recycle tyres and batteries but coming in here, you can see their operations, you can’t find a single battery or a single tyre here.
“They are crushing lithium here and unfortunately they have support from all over. Preliminary investigation indicated two Chinese nationals are the ones leading this and they also have a lawyer from Katsina. Some of the workers too are from Zamfara.
“I think, it is still the same thing about the constitutional provisions where they issue licenses to Miners in Abuja without the state government having an input and once we have the fallout, the state government will bear the brunt.”
Speaking on the Chinese nationals, the governor said the state government is already seeking information from the Immigration service, noting that once the state government have evidences against them, the foreigners will be prosecuted according to the laws.
He added that, the state is not against the business prosperity of investors but such must be achieved within the armbits of the laws of the state.
“We will keep trying to foster cooperation among all the stakeholders. Yes we want business to thrive in Oyo state, but local laws must be obeyed.
“We are not saying don’t come to Oyo State, but we are saying, when you come in here, you should obey the local laws. So, that is where we are.
“All of these items will be moved, the state government will take over the facility via court process. This is a clear violation of the Executive Order that I signed. It is a problem that we have to address.
“I think four individuals have been arrested. For the Chinese nationals, we have linked up with the immigration and once we are able to find something to prosecute them on, we will prosecute them.
“First, we need to get to the bottom of all of these but in the meantime, this facility will be taken over by the government of Oyo state”, he added.
Top government functionaries in company of the governor during the inspection were State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Abiodun Aikomo, Special Adviser (Security), CP Fatai Owoseni (Rtd.), Executive Assistant on Security CP Sunday Odukoya (Rtd.), and the State Commandant, Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, Colonel Olayinka Olayanju (Rtd).
