By Sodiq Yusuf
THERE has been a persistent influx of Northern youths into the State of Osun, investigations have revealed.
Findings by OSUN DEFENDER indicated that the influx, which has lingered since the commencement of the total lockdown occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic in April this year has continued unabated, despite several alarms raised by members of the public.
The Northerners, according to reports, have their contact persons who received them into the state in Erin-Osun, Osogbo, Ibodi, Ilesa and Ife especially.
They are usually conveyed into the state in trucks loaded with yam, onions, beans and vegetables, it was learnt.
The medium observed that in the last few months, the Northern immigrant youths have delved into illegal mining operations in the Ijesa axis of the state, while some of them have gone into commercial transportation with motorcycles in Osogbo, the state capital.
According to reports, areas where mining activities are taking place such as Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Ibodi, Itagunmodi, Ibokun, among others have heavy presence of the Northern youths.
Residents of the state have been expressing concerns over the rise in the mass movement of the Northern youths into the state.
The residents, who shared their encounters with this medium called on the security agents and members of the public to be vigilant, saying that the mass presence of the Northerners could constitute serious security threats.
They stated that they have boarded motorcycle being ridden by the Northern immigrants in Osogbo and discovered that they have little or no knowledge of areas and locations in the state capital, as they (passengers) were the one giving them directions.
According to them, operating a commercial motorcycle without being conversant with the environment raises grave concerns, as it could be a ploy to get them (the Northern immigrants) acquainted with the nooks and crannies of the state for hidden agenda.
A chat with one of the Northern immigrant motorcyclists on Monday in Osogbo revealed that the individuals are encouraged to come by their kinsmen who have been in the state earlier.
The motorcyclist, who identified himself as Bulyamin, told OSUN DEFENDER: “I came here five days ago. I barely know anywhere here, so I rely on my passengers to direct me to wherever they are going. I am from Niger State. A friend of mine and I came to Osun through Erin-Osun. That is where we live.
“I have been into this business in Niger State, so I decided to change environment. We were encouraged to come to Osun by our people who had been here before. I hope to make fortunes here.”
A resident of Ilesa, Pastor Samuel Johnson, urged the state government to be on red alert, as the unchecked migration of people from different parts of the country might increase the rate of crime and criminal activities once they are fully settled.
Johnson charged the state government to up its game on data capturing of residents of the state for proper identification, just as he called on the security agents to put the immigrants on security check to avert any breakdown of law and order as experienced in other parts of the country.
He said: “We should be cautious of allowing these people in our state. Yes, there is the spirit of One Nigeria but we should not allow hell to let loose. We are a peace-loving people in Osun; which is one of the safest states in Nigeria. We hear and read in the news numerous criminal activities engulfing other parts of the country and we are acquainted with the threat this kind of migration poses. We want our Governor to do something urgent.
“These people should be duly registered and it should be ensured that all security checks are duly observed and passed before allowing them to move near our people. There is also the problem of COVID-19 still in place. All these should be done to forestall the effects inherent in the unchecked immigration.”
