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The Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has said it has destroyed an illegal mining site in the Kajola community in Osogbo.
The command also said a suspect was arrested at the site, while others fled upon sighting officers and men who carried out the raid.
This was contained in a statement on Saturday signed by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Kehinde Adeleke.
Adeleke further said the site was raided during an operation led by the Osun NSCDC Commandant, Igbalawole Sotiyo, on Friday.
After the operation, Sotiyo said, “This illegal mining site at Sambisa Area, Kajola, Atakumosa West Local Government, Osun State was discovered through intelligence gathering and surveillance.
“This move is aimed at curbing the menace of illegal mining in Osun State. The suspect confessed to not having the necessary license or authorization to conduct operations in line with the law of the land.
“The suspect arrested during the operation will be charged in court, though some of them fled the scene abandoning their equipment, but I assure members of the public that we will soon arrest them to face the consequences of their action.
“Some of their mining tools found in the river were burnt during the operation. The items destroyed were dragline, pumping machines and other equipment used for illegal mining activities.”
The commandant, who warned that NSCDC would continue to crack down on illegal mining activities in the state, maintained that protection of the country’s mineral resources is part of the statutory responsibilities of the corps.
The command subsequently urged members of the public to provide information about illegal mining activities in their area to make the state safe for all and to put an end to environmental degradation and economic sabotage.
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