Due to illegal miners operating in the Egbetua Autonomous Community in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Area of the state the Edo State government has given a seven-day ultimatum to vacate the site.
The government said after seven days, any illegal miners found in the area would face the wrath of the law.
It was reported on Friday that over 1,000 workers, mostly from the northern part of the country, were working on the site to the chagrin of the locals.
Wakadaily gathered that over 25 years the mining site had been in operation and was located inside the Odo bush, about 15 kilometres from Ososo town.
Chief Peter Momoh, the head chief of the community, the Iddu Oremeh Osese of Egbetua, confirmed the activities of illegal gold miners in the community, adding that the intervention of the state government would be needed.
He said, “The illegal mining activities in our community have not only led to environmental degradation but have also resulted in a rise in criminal activities, including frequent kidnapping of farmers, market women and children.”
On March 7, 2024, a letter was brought and signed by the head chief and his secretary, to the community given a quit notice to the illegal miners, while another letter dated April 17, 2024, urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to put an end to their activities.
On Saturday, Enaholo Ojiefoh, the state Commissioner for Mining and Energy, led a team of security personnel to meet with the chiefs and elders of the community as they finally gave the ultimatum to the miners on behalf of Governor Obaseki.
Enaholo, stated that the state government was interested in the growth and development of the locality, stating there will be tolerance for crime and illegalities in the state.
He said: “I want to give a serious warning to residents of Egbetua. If you are part of these criminals who have been working in our forest, mining our precious minerals, your days are numbered.
“If you have been working or helping in any way to carry out their illegal activities, your days are numbered. I want you (elders of Egbetua community) to send this message to everybody, tell them that we are giving them (gold miners) seven days to vacate that forest.”
Enaholo further said that security agencies would be stationed in the area to enforce the order.
“It is a marching order from the state government to flush them (illegal gold miners) out of this place and that is why you are seeing different security agencies.
“They can’t be exploiting our solid mineral and still be kidnapping, raping our wives and girls, chasing our men away and using the forest as a place where they keep their victims,” he said.
He also declared that the report of the visit would be presented to the Minister of Solid Mineral Development and the state governor.
Moreso, he affirmed that the state government would be working with all legal mining companies in the state to bring in investors for the development and growth of the area.
