Adeleke unveils intelligence network to tackle insecurity in mining communities
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Tuesday announced the establishment of a mining community intelligence architecture to tackle rising security challenges in the mining sector and curb the influx of suspected bandits into mining communities.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Mr Samuel Ojo, at a stakeholders’ conference attended by security chiefs, traditional rulers, mining firms, environmental activists and community leaders, Adeleke said the peace and security of the Ife-Ijesa axis were under threat and required urgent action.
The governor expressed concern over the influx of people from Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states into mining communities, saying intelligence reports indicated that some of the movement was not solely for legitimate mining activities.
“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 the creation of parallel authority. If we do not act now, the peace Osun is known for will be sacrificed on the altar of gold,” he said.
Adeleke also alleged that some foreign nationals were infiltrating mining communities while posing as Nigerians, warning community leaders to profile all newcomers and report suspicious individuals.
He disclosed that the intelligence architecture would comprise mining site-to-community security committees, traditional rulers, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and the State Security Council, directing every major mining community in the Ife-Ijesa axis to establish a seven-member Community Security Committee within 14 days.
The governor urged stakeholders to cooperate with the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Amotekun Corps by granting security operatives access to mining sites and promptly sharing intelligence.
He also warned against shielding criminals because of financial gains, insisting that Osun would not become a haven for bandits or allow its mineral resources to be used to finance criminal activities.
