DAMISI OJO, Akure

Residents of Ogunlepa community in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State have raised the alarm over the influx of illegal miners in their domain.

It would be recalled that about two months five illegal miners reportedly operating in Ilu-Agbo, at River Oluwa, in the Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state were arrested by a combined team of security agencies.

The residents, who are mostly local farmers in the agrarian community, lamented that the unruly activities of the illegal miners were causing environmental degradation and damages to their farmland and crops.

According to them, the presence of the illegal miners, who are mostly non-indigenes of the community, was also capable of threatening the security situation of the community and contributing to local conflicts.

In a Save Our Soul message, a farmer and spokesperson for the community, Ayodele Akande lamented that the activities of the illegal miners are looming disasters that threaten lives, properties and means of livelihoods of the locals.

Akande said numerous farmlands have been destroyed due to the exploitations being carried out by the illegal miners, stressing that the allegation by youths in the community exposing some elders’ involvement in the act is also under threat.

He said“The ongoing illegal mining in Ogunlepa has damaged our farmlands and roads and continues to obstruct our business activities.

“Please help us stop this cruelty. We want to live in peace and enjoy our natural resources without suffering the consequences of exploitation,” he said.

The Chairman of Odigbo LGA, Taiwo Adegoroye, deplored the activities of the illegal miners in the area, saying several warnings issued by the government was ignored by the invaders.

Adegoroye, who visited the Ogunlepa community in company of top officials of the council area to assess the level of damages and devastating effects of illegal mining on farmlands, declared a total war on illicit exploitation across the council area.

While assuring the locals of immediate government intervention, the council boss stressed that the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would not watch while illegal miners destroy the environment and disrupt the livelihoods of the people, mostly at the grassroots.

He, however, promised to work with security agencies and relevant stakeholders to put a stop to the menac in the council area.

According to him,, “we will not tolerate illegal mining activities in Odigbo Local Government. We are committed to protecting the environment and ensuring the safety of our residents.”

For a better society

Follow us across our platforms:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/

You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2

The post Save us from illegal miners’ exploits, Ondo Community cries out appeared first on Champion Newspapers LTD.