Five Illegal Miners Arrested In Ese Odo

 … As Ondo Government Vows To Regulate illegal Sand Mining

By Sunday Joseph 

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Five Illegal Miners have been apprehended and arrested in Ilu-Agbo,  Ese Odo local government area of Ondo State, with the Ondo State government vowing to regulate the activities of fake and illegal sand miners in the State.

The five suspects who gave their names as David Ayara, David Monday, Bonima Boluwatife, Stanley Odoh and Wisdom Nomiye, were arrested in Ilu-Agbo, along River Oluwa, in Ese-Odo local government area of Ondo State.

The operation which was led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Mining, Honourable (Mrs) Omowunmi Folawe Sipasi-Aluko, in collaboration with the Federal Mines Task Force, were secured by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and other officials from the State Ministry of Mineral and Energy, State Ministry of Environment as well as from the  Ministry of Agriculture and Aforestations in the State.

Others who also joined during the operation are DSS, Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network popularly known as Amotekun in Ésé-Odo led by Mr Joseph Ebisanmi among others.

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Speaking during the operation, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Mining Honourable (Mrs) Omowunmi  Folawe Sipasi-Aluko, said several warnings issued by the government in the past fell on deaf ear of the miners in the area.

She however declared that the government has zero tolerance for illegal mining activities in the State.

She also emphasised that companies involved in mining needs to legalise their operations by obtaining an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate or an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) from the State government.

She explained that the effects of illegal mining, such as flooding, are deadly and that the government cannot fold its arms while citizens suffer as rainy season gather momentum.

“It’s high time we put an end to illegal mining in Ondo State, particularly sand mining at Ilu-Agbo along River Oluwa in Ese-Odo. The effects on the community are extremely dangerous. Ondo State has zero tolerance for illegal mining.

“All companies operating illegally must obtain their EIA certificate or Environmental Management Plan. 

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We aim to eradicate flooding from this community as Mr. Governor is committed to ensuring the safety of the people,” she said.

Also speaking during the operation, a community leader in Igbobini, Ese-Odo local government, High Chief Taiwo Abisagbo, commended the Ondo State Government over the operation.

Chief Abisagbo who is also the Egbekaramu, the second in command to monarch of Igbobini similarly commended the government over its bold step to moderate the activities of the Miner’s in the waterways across the State.

He said illegal sand mining in the area has caused significant damage to the community, particularly in agriculture, housing, and health.

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He reiterated the readiness of the leadership of the community to continue to collaborate with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Mining to ensure success.

He hailed the government for taken the right decision, noting that illegal mining leads to various forms of natural disasters.

He stressed that miners should obtain government approval to prevent unforeseen disasters in the community.

The Director of Environmental Impact Assessment, Mr. Isaac Ojo, stated that miners would be given instructions during the EIA process to ensure their activities do not harm the community.

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“For example, they will be guided on where to place their machines, loading points, and how to channel waste properly. Without an EIA certificate, there is a significant risk of future harm,” he said.

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