Adeleke Moves to Flush Out Bandits from Osun Mining Communities, Unveils Intelligence Network

 

By Abel Chigozie 

 In a decisive move to curb rising insecurity in Osun State's mining communities, Governor Ademola Adeleke has launched a new Mining Community Intelligence Architecture aimed at preventing banditry, illegal armed activities and criminal infiltration across mining settlements in the state.

The governor announced the initiative on Tuesday during a stakeholders' security conference attended by security chiefs, traditional rulers, mining operators, environmental advocates and community leaders.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Mr. Samuel Ojo, Governor Adeleke said the peace and security of Osun, particularly the Ife-Ijesa mining corridor, had come under increasing threat, necessitating urgent government intervention.

He disclosed that intelligence reports had revealed a growing influx of persons from Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states into mining communities, warning that some of the arrivals were allegedly linked to organised criminal networks rather than legitimate mining activities.

"While Osun remains open to every Nigerian pursuing lawful business, intelligence suggests that some individuals are importing the same criminal templates that have destabilised parts of the North-West, including armed camps, illegal taxation, youth recruitment and the establishment of parallel authority," the governor said.

Adeleke also expressed concern over reports of suspected bandits operating around the Ibodi forest and the movement of suspicious armed persons along the Ilesa corridor, describing the development as a serious security concern.

He further alleged that some foreign nationals had infiltrated mining communities using fake identities and urged traditional rulers and community leaders to strengthen resident profiling and promptly report suspicious persons to security agencies.

As part of the new security framework, the governor directed every major mining community in the Ife-Ijesa axis to establish a seven-member Community Security Committee within 14 days. The committees will work with traditional rulers, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), intelligence agencies and the State Security Council to gather and transmit security information.

He also urged mining companies and host communities to grant unrestricted access to security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Amotekun Corps for regular patrols and intelligence operations.

Governor Adeleke warned residents against shielding criminals because of financial benefits, stressing that economic prosperity cannot thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity.

"Osun State will not become a refuge for bandits, and our mineral resources will never be allowed to finance criminality or terrorism. Together, we must secure our communities and protect the future of our state," he declared.

The conference forms part of the Adeleke administration's broader strategy to strengthen security around mining operations, protect host communities and ensure that the state's solid mineral resources contribute to lawful economic development.

The statement was issued by the Governor's spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.