A former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf, said on Tuesday that last week’s explosion, which rocked a part of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, exposed the security risks illegal mining activities posed to the country.
He noted that such tragic incidents also demanded the urgency of inter-agency responses coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in a bid to halt future occurrences.
Yusuf, who represented Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency for three terms up to June 2023, stated that much as the emergency responses by the State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, were commendable, a more urgent approach was for heads of security agencies to sit at the federal level to find ways of curbing the threat that widespread illegal mining by foreigners and their Nigerian collaborators posed to Nigeria’s economy and its people.
At least five persons were reported killed by the explosion, which occurred on Tuesday last week at the Dejo Oyelese area of Bodija, Ibadan. About 77 others, who suffered various injuries were hospitalised.
Many vehicles and about 58 houses were destroyed by the blast, which shook Ibadan around 7.30pm on the fateful evening.
Yusuf, a former senatorial aspirant, giving his views in Abuja, stated further, “Even from afar, many Nigerians feel the pains of all those families that lost their loved ones and properties and even though we feel very saddened, the very prompt responses from Governor Seyi Makinde, the Oyo state House of Assembly, the state’s Emergency Management Agency gladdens many hearts and we find such to be worthy of commendation.
“However, in view of the very potent security threat that illegal miners pose towards security of lives and properties in some northern states and the south, their tendency for involvement in illegal possession of firearms, ammunitions, explosives, tax evasion and so on; these focused and determined foreign interests must be effectively stopped through a resolute inter-agency cooperation by our security agencies.”
He observed that the Ojoo Gemstones Market near Ibadan, the largest of its type across Africa, remained a potential source of huge internally-generated revenue, employment and national economic diversification.
According to Yusuf, Oyo state’s huge deposits of Lithium, marble, dolomite, tourmaline, garnet and other varieties of gemstones also makes it an attractive destination for unscrupulous businessmen and illegal miners from other countries.
He added, “The Oyo State Government under Governor Seyi Makinde is boosting internally-generated revenue while accelerating welfare and development efforts but it would take the eagle-eyed alertness of all stakeholders to thwart the impending mischief of foreigners and their Nigerian facilitators.
“While we all salute Governor Seyi Makinde for his prompt response, payment of hospital bills of those who got injured and provision of alternative accommodation for the displaced persons, we must also applaud the security agents, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA) and others for their prompt deployment of manpower to the explosion scene.
“Yet even while we respect ECOWAS protocols on free movement and trade, a lot needs to be done to stop foreigners’ and unscrupulous Nigerian citizens’ illegal bleeding of Nigeria’s economy as they work with black legs in official circles for continued stay in Nigeria, illegal exportation of huge quantities of solid minerals, non-payment of taxes and duties, as well as alleged sponsorship of armed bandit groups to provide their ‘security’ needs in illegal mining camps in forests across the south and northern parts of Nigeria.”
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