‘Don’t turn our communities into battlefields’ – Ondo monarch warn illegal miners

The traditional ruler of Imoru in the Odigbo council area of Ondo State, Oba Charles Basorun, has raised concerns over the increasing activities of illegal miners in his community.  

Oba Basorun has called on the federal government to take urgent action before the situation escalates into violent conflicts affecting Imoru and surrounding towns.

He highlighted that Ondo State is rich in mineral resources, including crude oil, bitumen, and gold. However, the monarch lamented that illegal mining continues to thrive, posing daily challenges to communities with mineral deposits.

He called on the Federal Government and the Ondo state government to intervene in the panic caused by the presence of the personnel of a security agency in the community.

Recall that the traditional ruler had earlier written to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, urging an investigation a company licensed to operate in his community.

He said the license presented by the company allegedly granted on 15th November 2024 and set to expire on 14th November 2027, should be investigated.

Oba Basorun said that they have investigated the company and their findings forwarded “to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, requesting a proper investigation into the sub-licensee”

He alleged that the company has been aided by a security agency to carry out illegal mining in the community.

The traditional ruler also alleged that the security agency has deployed his personnel to monitor the company’s operations.

He called on stakeholders at both the federal and state levels to intervene

He warned that deploying security personnel to the site could lead to confrontations, potentially resulting in casualties.