Osun Monarch Tells Gov Oyetola To Order Immediate Stoppage Of Gold Mining Operations To Avert Menace Of Kidnapping, Banditry

A traditional ruler in Atakunkosa West Local Government Area of Osun state, the Atagunmodi of Itagunmodi, Oba Michael Famadewa-Kosile has cried out over incessant insecurity of life and property in his domain due to the influxes of illegal gold miners to the community.

The monarch who is ruling over the community, largely deposited with gold, asked Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the state, to as a matter of emergency, order the stoppage of gold mining activities in his domain and other gold mining sites in the state.

Oba Famadewa-Kosile stated this on Monday while addressing journalists at the Osun NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel in Osogbo.

The traditional ruler who was kidnapped on May 30, last year by some Fulani men before his escape from their captivity, said his domain has not been secured ever since strangers from the northern part of the country, China and Niger invaded his domain to mine gold illegally.

According to the Oba, the stoppage of the mining operations would alleviate the rate of kidnapping, theft and killing in the state.

He said some illegal miners would be forced to exit the state once they discover that there is law banning mining operations.

He said the state government had not been up and doing as regards the illegal gold mining operations in the state saying his domain could not even boast of good water, electricity and security despite sitting on gold.

Asked if there is security in Itagunmodi and his environs, Oba Famadewa-Kosile said “if there is security, would I be kidnapped, beaten and dehumanised in the hands of twenty Fulani men that abducted me? There is no security, no water and other infrastructures in my community. We are not benefiting anything despite that we are lucky to have gold in my domain.

“The best way the government could tackle this menace for now is to stop gold mining operations for now. This will even bring sanity to these affected communities,” the monarch said.