Insecurity: Stop all mining activities in our communities, Ijesa obas tell govt

Against the backdrop of rising insecurity, occasioned by kidnapping and banditry in Osun State, traditional rulers in Ijesa North and Ijesa South Council, on Wednesday, urged the state government to stop mining activities.

They stated that this measure would go a long way in checkmating criminals from breaching security in Osun State.

Rising from a meeting convened by the senator representing Osun East senatorial district, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, at Iloko Ijesa, the traditional rulers, in a communique also said government should stop issuance of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to anyone without the consent of community leaders.

According to the communique read by the Owamiran of Esa Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adenitan, “government should end all mining activities henceforth. Government should also stop issuance of C of O to anyone without the consent of community leaders.”

It reads “There should be a task force that will work with security agents, local hunters and vigilante group to provide security. Clearing of bush at 100 metres away from the highway should be done by goverment.”

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The communique also charged traditional rulers to ensure effective collaboration of local vigilante operatives in their respective community with security agencies so as to guarantee security of lives and properties.

Earlier in his remark, Senator Fadahunsi lamented that “the rate at which kidnappers operate in our area is becoming unbearable,” adding that “the source could be traced to all of us or some of us who are landlords to these kidnappers and criminals.”

He averred that “they operate freely and reside with us in our communities. We virtually abdicate in our traditional duties and responsibilities as landlords, and land owners. In most cases, we bluntly refuse to screen these illegal immigrants into our lands and communities just because of the small and ridiculous stipends they dangle into our greedy long throats.

“Consequent upon the above factors and other contributing variables, coupled with the leadership carelessness and government lukewarm attitude to guide jealousy the Land Use Decree of 1978, we virtually neglected and isolated these strangers and illegal immigrants to live alone on our lands without any hindrance or checks and balances,” Fadahunsi stated.