Banditry: Adeleke unveils mining intelligence network to tackle security threats in Osun

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has announced the establishment of a mining community intelligence architecture as part of measures to prevent the infiltration of suspected bandits into mining communities across the state.

 

Adeleke made the announcement on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ conference on security in the mining sector held in Osogbo, where security chiefs, traditional rulers, mining operators, environmental activists and community representatives discussed emerging threats in the industry.

 

Represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Samuel Ojo, the governor said the meeting was necessary due to growing security concerns, particularly around the Ife-Ijesa axis.

 

Adeleke expressed concern over what he described as a sudden and unregulated influx of people from some northern states into mining communities in Osun, saying intelligence reports suggested that some movements were beyond legitimate mining activities.

 

“The government is concerned about the sudden and unregulated influx of persons from states like Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi into our mining communities. While we do not discriminate against Nigerians seeking legitimate work, intelligence shows that this movement is not just about mining,” he said.

 

The governor alleged that some individuals were attempting to introduce criminal activities associated with banditry in parts of the North-West, including illegal taxation, armed camps, youth recruitment and parallel authority structures.

 

“Some of these elements are bringing with them the same criminal templates that have destroyed communities in the North-West: armed camps, illegal taxation, recruitment of youths, and creation of parallel authority. If we do not act now, the peace Osun is known for will be sacrificed on the altar of gold,” Adeleke stated.

 

He disclosed that security agencies had received intelligence on the presence of suspected bandit elements around the Ibodi forests and reports of suspicious armed individuals moving along the Ilesa corridor.

 

Adeleke also raised concerns over alleged infiltration of communities by foreign nationals and non-Nigerians operating under false identities.

 

“We have also observed that some foreign nationals and non-Nigerians are infiltrating our communities. They speak local languages, carry fake IDs, and pretend to be from other Nigerian states. Their mission is not mining. Their mission is to establish a base,” he said.

 

Under the new security framework, the governor said the mining intelligence architecture would connect mining sites, community security committees, traditional rulers, divisional police officers and the State Security Council under his supervision.

 

He directed every major mining community to establish a seven-member Community Security Committee within 14 days.

 

The governor urged stakeholders to work with security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Amotekun Corps, to strengthen surveillance and intelligence gathering.

 

“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,” Adeleke said.