Ibadan Explosion: Monarchs Declare Support for Fight against Illegal Mining

Traditional rulers from across the five geopolitical zones of Oyo State have declared support for the state government in its fight against illegal mining in different parts of the state.

The monarchs spoke while briefing newsmen at the Press Conference Room of the Governor’s Office, shortly after a meeting held with the governor behind closed doors.

Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, commended Governor Seyi Makinde for what he described as his “swift response” to the explosion that rocked Ibadan last week.

While commiserating with the victims, the governor and the people of the state, the monarch assured that traditional rulers in the state have resolved to deepen their support for the state government in terms of communication and sharing of intelligence, in order to curb the menace of illegal mining in the state.

Oba Alao lauded the governor for being proactive in his approach to disaster management, most especially in the recent explosion that has left some dead and many injured, noting that the traditional rulers swung into action after the incident of the Ibadan explosion and have identified critical areas that require urgent supportive attention.

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The monarch listed the identified areas to include security lapse, medical, and humanitarian challenges, saying, however, that governor Makinde had already put measures in place to address the critical areas adequately and the monarchs were proud of the governor.

He said: “He has briefed us how has been working in collaboration with the Federal Government, to be precise, the President of Nigeria. And also, the Federal Government has sent relevant agencies to liaise with the state government in order to mitigate the damage and try as much as possible to do their best to cushion the effects of the explosion.

“On our part, we’ve been able to come up with views with the state government, all of us as traditional rulers across the five geopolitical zones of Oyo State, whereby, we’ve resolved to provide more support for government in terms of communication and sharing of intelligence to curb the issue of illegal mining,” the Olugbon stated.

Other traditional rulers in attendance at the briefing include, Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun who was represented by Oba Tajudeen Ajibola and Oba Hamidu Ajibade; the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Sefiu Oyebola; and the Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi.

Others are, Onpetu of Ijeruland, Oba Sunday Oyediran; Olu of Igboora, Oba Jimoh Olajide Titiloye; Akibio of Ilora, Oba Steven Oyeniyi; Iba of Kisi, Oba Moshod Lawal; Bashorun of Oyo, High Chief Akinade Ayoola; and Onilala of Lanlate, Oba Sunday Oladejo.

The Tuesday explosion which rocked Dejo Oyelese Street, Adeyi Area, Old Bodija, Ibadan, left in its trail, five fatalities, with properties worth hundreds of millions of naira lost, among others.

Preliminary investigations fingered dynamite stored up by illegal miners as the immediate cause of the explosion.