Ondo Monarch decries activities of illegal miners in Community

The traditional ruler of Imoru in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Charles Basorun, on Wednesday decried the activities of illegal miners in his community.

He urged the Federal Government to intervene before the community and other towns around are turned into battlefields.

The monarch said that the state was endowed with mineral resources, including crude oil, bitumen, and gold.

The traditional ruler, however, said illegal mining activities in the state have continued to increase, and communities with mineral deposits face daily challenges.

It would be recalled that the monarch had earlier written to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, urging it to investigate a company licensed to operate in his community.

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

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

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