Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reported the apprehension of individuals engaged in unauthorized mineral processing at a facility in Idi-Ayunre, Oluyole Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement posted on his social media handle on Saturday, Makinde revealed that the operation was conducted as part of continuous efforts to prevent occurrences similar to the Bodija explosion, which resulted in casualties and property damage in January 2024.
According to a local news outlet, Oyo Affairs, the governor directed the arrest of four individuals suspected of operating at the site, citing their operation without the necessary license approved by the government for business activities in the state.
Makinde's statement read, "In our endeavor to avert a repetition of the Bodija Incident, we conducted an operation at Idi-Ayunre, acting on information about a facility engaged in the illegal processing of minerals.
"I can confirm that those involved have been apprehended and are currently in custody, with efforts underway for their prosecution.
"Furthermore, our administration has assumed control of the facility pending further investigations and legal proceedings.
"The successful apprehension of the perpetrators was made possible through collaborative efforts between the government and concerned citizens, who promptly alerted authorities about their activities."
The governor also addressed the challenge of extraditing Malian nationals implicated in the Bodija explosion.
He stated, "I would like to inform you that we are still pursuing the extradition of the Malians implicated in the Bodija Incident, who are currently evading arrest.
"We are encountering obstacles due to Mali's withdrawal from ECOWAS. Nevertheless, we remain committed to employing diplomatic channels to ensure their apprehension.
"I urge you to continue supporting our campaign to eliminate illegal activities within our state.
"If you observe any suspicious activities, please report them promptly to the authorities. The toll-free number to call in such instances is 615."
The Bodija incident, which occurred on January 16, 2024, involved an explosion reportedly caused by improperly stored explosives in a residential area.
Residents of Adeyi Avenue in Bodija, the location of the incident, attributed the explosion to illegal miners from Mali who were operating in the area.
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