State Suspends Monarch Over Illegal Mining.

The Oyo State government, yesterday, suspended the Sobaloju of Ofiki in Atisbo Local Government Area, Jacob Adefabi, over alleged illegal mining activities in the community.

In a statement issued by the Special Assistant to the governor on Print Media, Mr Moses Alao, it was stated that Adefabi was suspended for allegedly violating the state’s executive order 001/2023, as well as for encouraging trespass on government gazetted assets.

Executive Order 001/2023 regulates mining operations within the state.

Adefabi was accused of breaching the order and of allegedly issuing consent letters to mining companies without due authorisation, allowing mining operations to take place within the state government’s reserved forest, and facilitating unauthorised mining activities.

The statement explained that the decision was taken in order to safeguard the interests of the community and the state.

According to a letter issued by the Director of Chieftaincy Matters in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, A. M. Olajire, the monarch has been suspended from the palace of the Onito of Ito with effect from January 5, pending the conclusion of an investigation into the allegations against him.

It added that the suspension was a precautionary step intended to protect the integrity of the investigation.

The government further directed the affected chief to desist from all activities connected to mining and not to interfere with the investigation into the allegations against him, while also instructing him to present himself for questioning before the investigating team.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State government, yesterday, reaffirmed its commitment to protecting all agricultural lands in the state from encroachment, declaring that such lands must be preserved strictly for agricultural purposes in order to promote farming and support food security.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Bolu Owootomo, stated that safeguarding farmlands remains a key priority of the administration.

Owootomo, responding to allegations of illegal mining activities by a firm at Iloro I, Iloro II and Ibiri village in the Ado-Odo area of Ogun State, explained that the state government has ordered the immediate stoppage of the unauthorised mining activities being carried out by the company in the affected communities.

According to the Commissioner, no approval was granted by the state government permitting the company to conduct mining in the area, which prompted swift intervention once the activities were discovered.

He said: “Upon becoming aware of the situation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security engaged the company directly. The company acknowledged the concerns raised and agreed to halt all operations at the site immediately.

“To ensure compliance, formal communication, including a written notice, has been issued to document the agreement.”