Osogbo Community Raises Alarm Over Illegal Mining Activities, Demands Govt Urgent Action

Residents of Aberensise Commuity in Akinlade Estate of Ilesa Garage Area, Osogbo have raised alarm over increasing activities of suspected illegal gold miners who have reportedly taken over large portion of the community.

This was as the residents called on the state government under the leadership of Governor Ademola Adeleke to come to their rescue and take decisive action to halt illegal mining activities before irreversible damage is done.

According to residents, these activities are already posing adverse effects on their environment, including land degradation, destruction of farmlands, threats to buildings, and growing fears of water contamination, especially given the estate’s proximity to the Ọ̀sun River.

The situation has also heightened concerns around public safety, health risks, and long-term environmental damage.

OSUN DEFENDER reported that Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in February 2025, destroyed an illegal mining site in the Kajola community during a raid in Osogbo.

They also arrested a suspect at the site, while others fled upon sighting officers and men who carried out the raid.

In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Kehinde Adeleke and made available to journalists, Adeleke said the site was raided during an operation led by the Osun NSCDC Commandant, Igbalawole Sotiyo.

After the operation, Sotiyo said, “This illegal mining site at Sambisa Area, Kajola, Atakumosa West Local Government, Osun State was discovered through intelligence gathering and surveillance.

“This move is aimed at curbing the menace of illegal mining in Osun State. The suspect confessed to not having the necessary license or authorization to conduct operations in line with the law of the land.

“The suspect arrested during the operation will be charged in court, though some of them fled the scene abandoning their equipment, but I assure members of the public that we will soon arrest them to face the consequences of their action.”

Hafsoh Isiaq

Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.

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