By Adeyinka Adeniran
Oyo state government has ordered that Sooro market, Irepo local government, located in the Oke-Ogun area of the state be shut down indefinitely.
The decision was reached after a critical security stakeholder’s meeting which held at the Office of the Deputy governor, Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan on Monday.
The meeting was called following a security breach at the Kishi area of Oke-Ogun at the weekend.
Speaking, the Executive Assistant on Security to the state governor, CP Sunday Odukoya (retired) said the government will not condone illegal mining in the state, cautioning indigenes against colluding with illegal miners as the government is ready to deal decisively with perpetrators.
Odukoya said “The government has taken his position which means that everyone has to stand up to their responsibility to ensure adequate peace in our state.
“The traditional rulers and all stakeholders have promised to make sure that the whole region is free of all manners of crime and criminality that is ongoing in their area amd they said it will definitely come to an end.
“The government is resolute to ensure that the area remains peaceful and the Sooro market remains closed until further directive is given by Governor Seyi Makinde.”
Also speaking, the Director General, Oyo State Joint Security Taskforce codenamed Operation Burst, Colonel James Ajibola (retired) maintained that the collaborative efforts of traditional leaders and joint security taskforce enabled instant restoration of peace and order in the state.
He said his agency arrested 32 illegal miners at the Kishi-Sooro Market including Chinese migrants, who are at the moment undergoing investigations.
He said “This issue of insecurity challenges as a result of activities of illegal miners. Security agencies including Operation Burst and Amotekun were there to ensure that issues were resolved.
“Some of the vehicles they were using to collect the resources were stopped by some of the hoodlums and criminals as a result of that, it degenerated and the community leaders including the Royal Fathers, Iba Kishi had to intervene and other prominent leaders of Kishi.
“With that, the efforts of security agencies, all the stopped vehicles and the criminals were arrested and they are in our custody right now. There was no casualty.”
Meanwhile, the Kishi traditional leader, represented by President of Kishi Indigenes Union, Mr Bioku Abdulrahman appreciated the state government for its proactiveness on security, assuring that Kishi indigenes are with the government against illegal mining activities.
Recall that the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal had earlier on Sunday given a hint on the possibility of the closure of the market when he led clearance operation against illegal miners at Sooro market
He had warned that the Makinde administration will not hesitate to pounce on any individual involved in illegal mining activities, adding that security operatives have already made some arrests, as they are working nonstop to also apprehend whoever is found guilty.
