The Oyo State Government has ordered that Sooro Market, in the Irepo Local Government Area, located in the Oke-Ogun Zone, be shut down indefinitely.
The decision was reached, on Monday, after a critical security stakeholder’s meeting, which was called following a security breach at the Kishi area of Oke-Ogun at the weekend, and held at the Office of the Deputy Governor, Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
In his remark, the Executive Assistant on Security to the state governor, CP Sunday Odukoya (retired), said the government would not condone illegal mining in the state, cautioning indigenes against colluding with illegal miners, as the government is ready to deal decisively with perpetrators.
Odukoya stated: “The government has taken its position, which means that everyone has to stand up to their responsibility to ensure adequate peace in our state. The traditional rulers and all stakeholders have promised to make sure that the whole region is free of all manners of crime and criminality that is ongoing in their area and they said it will definitely come to an end.
“The government is resolute to ensure that the area remains peaceful and the Sooro Market remains closed until further directive is given by Governor Seyi Makinde,” he disclosed.
Similarly, the Director General, Oyo State Joint Security Task Force, codenamed Operation Burst, Colonel James Ajibola (retired), maintained that the collaborative efforts of traditional leaders and the task force has ensured instant restoration of peace and order in the state.
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Ajibola revealed that his agency arrested 32 illegal miners, including Chinese migrants, at the Kishi-Sooro Market, and they are at the moment undergoing investigations.
He said: “Some of the vehicles they were using to collect the resources were stopped by some hoodlums and criminals. As a result of that, it degenerated and the community leaders, including the royal fathers, Iba Kishi, and other prominent leaders of Kishi, had to intervene.
“With the efforts of security agencies, all the stopped vehicles and the criminals were arrested and they are in our custody right now. There was no casualty.”
Meanwhile, the Kishi traditional leader, represented by the President of Kishi Indigenes Union, Mr Bioku Abdulrahman, appreciated the state government for its proactiveness on security, assuring that Kishi indigenes are with the government against illegal mining activities.
The Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, had earlier, on Sunday, given a hint on the possibility of the closrure of the market when he led clearance operation against illegal miners at Sooro Market
He warned that the Makinde administration will not hesitate to pounce on any individual involved in illegal mining activities, adding that security operatives have already made some arrests, as they are working nonstop to also apprehend whoever is found guilty.
