Governor Ademola Adeleke has unveiled a new security initiative aimed at tackling rising insecurity in Osun State’s mining sector, including the establishment of a Mining Community Intelligence Architecture to curb the infiltration of suspected bandits into mining communities.
The governor announced the initiative during a stakeholders’ conference attended by security chiefs, traditional rulers, mining operators, environmental advocates and community leaders.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Samuel Ojo, Adeleke said the meeting was convened in response to growing security concerns in the Ife-Ijesa mining corridor, warning that urgent action was needed to safeguard the state’s peace and stability.
According to the governor, the state government is concerned about what it described as the sudden and unregulated influx of people from states such as Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi into mining communities.
“While we do not discriminate against Nigerians seeking legitimate work, intelligence shows that this movement is not just about mining,” Adeleke said.
“Some of these elements are bringing with them the same criminal templates that have destroyed communities in the North-West, including armed camps, illegal taxation, recruitment of youths and the creation of parallel authority. If we do not act now, the peace Osun is known for will be sacrificed on the altar of gold.”
The governor commended security agencies and local vigilante groups for monitoring activities within the mining sector, adding that his administration had received credible intelligence regarding the presence of suspected bandits in the Ibodi forests and the movement of suspicious armed individuals along the Ilesa corridor.
He also raised concerns over the alleged infiltration of mining communities by foreign nationals posing as Nigerians.
“We have observed that some foreign nationals and non-Nigerians are infiltrating our communities. They speak local languages, carry fake identification documents and pretend to be from other Nigerian states. Their mission is not mining; their mission is to establish a base,” he said.
Adeleke urged community leaders to properly profile residents and newcomers, stressing that individuals whose identities could not be verified should be reported to security agencies.
As part of the new security strategy, the governor announced the creation of a Mining Community Intelligence Architecture for the Ife-Ijesa axis, linking mining site security committees with traditional rulers, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and the State Security Council.
He directed that every major mining community should establish a seven-member Community Security Committee within 14 days to strengthen grassroots intelligence gathering and improve coordination with security agencies.
The governor also called on mining companies and community leaders to cooperate fully with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Amotekun Corps by granting access to mining sites for patrols and promptly sharing intelligence.
He warned against shielding criminal elements for financial gain, insisting that security must take precedence over economic interests.
“Osun State will not be a hiding place for bandits. Our gold will not be used to fund terrorism. Let us build this intelligence architecture together. Let us secure our land together,” the governor said.
