Edo State Government has given seven days ultimatum to illegal gold miners at Egbetual autonomous community in Ososo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area to vacate the area or face the full wrath of the law.
The Edo State Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Enaholo Ojiefoh gave the ultimatum when he met with chiefs and elders of the community at the weekend.
Ojiefoh, who said the report of the visit would be forwarded to the Minister of Solid Mineral Development and the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, noted that the state government has zero tolerance for crime and illegalities.
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The commissioner, who noted that the state government was interested in the growth and development of the locality, added that the state government would review all the mining licenses before opening up gold mining activities in the locality.
According to him, “I want to give a serious warning to everybody here (residents of Egbetua) that if you are part of these criminals that have been working in our forest, mining our precious mineral, your days are numbered.
“If you are working, cooperating with them as a community, youth, man or woman, or you are the one who helps them to buy fuel that they use in the forest, or you are the one giving them access to the forest, 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 (Odo bush).
“It is a matching 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.
