Adeleke warns of bandit influx into Osun mining communities

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has sounded an alarm over the "sudden and unregulated influx" of people from northern Nigerian states into the state's mining communities. He expressed concern that this movement is not solely for legitimate mining work but also involves individuals importing banditry and criminal activities that have destabilized the North West region.

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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.

Adeleke announced the creation of a mining community intelligence architecture to bolster surveillance and intelligence gathering, particularly in the Ife-Ijesa axis, which is rich in mining activities. Speaking at a stakeholders' conference on mining security in Osogbo, the governor stated that the government is worried about the potential for these new arrivals to replicate the "criminal templates" seen in the North West, including armed camps, illegal taxation, and the creation of parallel authorities.

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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.

"If we do not act now, the peace Osun is known for will be sacrificed on the altar of gold," Adeleke warned, emphasizing the need for immediate action. He noted that credible intelligence reports indicate the presence of suspected bandit elements near the Ibodi forests and suspicious armed individuals moving along the Ilesa corridor.

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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.

Furthermore, the governor highlighted concerns about foreign nationals and non-Nigerians infiltrating these communities. These individuals reportedly blend in by speaking local languages, carrying fake identification, and posing as people from other Nigerian states, with the ultimate goal of establishing bases. Adeleke urged community leaders to actively profile and vet all individuals within their communities, stating, "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."

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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.