Four people have been arrested in connection with illegal mining activities in the Dangbala Oketegbe area of Edo’s Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
Mr Haruna Yusuf, the Special Adviser on Security to Gov. Godwin Obaseki, told reporters in Benin on Thursday that they were apprehended by vigilantes at the mining site.
According to him, the individuals who were later turned over to the state Police Command were arrested for violating government directives on illegal mining.
It will be remembered that the community had raised concerns about the return of illegal miners to the site after the state government had shut it down earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the community has demanded that those arrested in Dangbala for illegal mining be prosecuted.
Mr Collins Nicholas, a community spokesman who spoke with reporters, claimed that the detained suspects assaulted and injured one Mr Peter Adelabu.
He also claimed that some people in Oketegbe were to blame for the reintroduction of illegal miners into the area.
He claimed that those responsible for illegal mining in the community had also turned to frivolous petition writing against those who opposed their activities.
According to Nicholas, illegal mining continues to take place in the community at all hours of the day and night, and “those who benefit have boasted that they are untouchable.”
“Those faceless petition signers are destroying Dangbala.” We are appealing to all Akoko-Edo citizens to speak out against this invasion and theft of our God-given resources.
“Those who have already been arrested should face charges because we want peace and development,” he said.
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