10 Chinese, 1 Ghanaian, 3 indigenous miners nabbed in Osun by Amotekun for illegal mining
Mining is a very lucrative business, that many developed countries across the world are taking advantage of to amass wealth and to stabilize their economy. While the underdeveloped countries are yet to see the positive increase such resources will bring to their countries in the area of health, education, electricity, infrastructural development, and the rest of them.
Natural resources have the potential to better the lives of the citizens of the country where these resources are discovered and funds from these resources
While this is the case majority of the African countries are yet to really benefit from the natural resources deposits in their various countries which has opened the door for illegal miners to take undue advantage of the unsuspected citizens.
Mining is supposed to be done by any company or individual if such individual or company goes through the right procedure and is issued the mining approval from the state government of the area intended for mining of any kind of mineral the party is interested in.
But the reverse is the case, as many most especially people from countries outside the shores of Africa and some within the African countries just find their way illegally to any site and start mining without approval from the authority.
The attention of the Nigerian government has been drawn to the importance of this mineral resources and how they would increase the country’s GDP in the area of revenue generation.
So, in view of this same group of illegal miners were arrested by the Osun State Amotekun Corps in collaboration with the state Joint Taskforce, yesterday, during a raid on four illegal mining sites in the state and those arrested includes 10 Chinese nationals, a Ghanaian and three indigenous illegal miners.
The raided sites were Itagunmodi, Igun and Ariye I and II, all in Atakunmosa-West Local Government Area of the State, following a tip-off by members of the public.
The operation which lasted over two hours was carried out at all the illegal mining sites in the council area. Speaking with journalists after the operation, the Director-General, Amotekun Corps in the state, Mr. Amitolu Shittu, said the operation was part of the state government’s resolve to clear the state of economic saboteurs.Mr. Shittu commended the JTF comprising Nigerian Army, Air force, Navy, Police, DSS, NSCDC, and Immigration for their cooperation with Amotekun corps to make the operation a success.