The Ibile Justice Forum, an advocacy group fighting the cause of justice has commended the Ogun State government for its decisive action towards ending the menace of illegal mining across the state, which it described as a major relief.

This commendation is coming on the heels of the intervention of the state government which on Tuesday ordered the cessation of illegal mining activities across some communities including Iloro I, Iloro II and Ibiri village in the Ado-Odo area of Ogun State, allegedly by SAF Investment and Property Company Limited.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Bolu Owootomo, had on Tuesday, reiterated the state government commitments towards safeguarding farmlands, a goal he said remains a top priority of the administration.

The state government reportedly ordered the immediate cessation of the unauthorised mining activities in the communities by the company.

According to the Commissioner, no directive was issued by the state government permitting the company to mine in the area, prompting swift intervention once the activities were discovered.

“Upon becoming aware of the situation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security engaged the company directly. The company acknowledged the concerns raised and agreed to halt all operations at the site immediately,” Owootomo said.

He added that the company has commenced the evacuation of its equipment and materials from the affected locations, noting that the process is already underway.

“To ensure compliance, formal communication, including a written notice, has been issued to document the agreement,” he stated.

The Commissioner further assured residents of the affected communities that SAF Investment and Property Company Limited would no longer operate in the area, emphasising that monitoring and enforcement measures remain in force to prevent future violations.

In a statement jointly signed by Comrade Ifeoluwa Amoo and Comrade Ganiu Owolabi, the Forum described the government’s action has heartening and something to cheer about.

According to the group, the state government timely intervention coming at this critical point in time was indeed reassuring that the lives of the people matter too.

In the statement which reads in part, the Forum said, “We are immensely grateful to the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led government for its prompt intervention to nip the menace of illegal mining activities across the state in the bud and feel very strongly that such gestures would send the right signal to the downtrodden that their lives and livelihoods also matter in the scheme of things.

“We are indeed persuaded that such ill-conceived, selfish motives by a section of the public aimed to achieve selfish interests of a few, would not arise again and we also hope that members of the communities wherever they need to take ownership of their land by observing internal vigilance of their environment and be ready to call out anyone who acts in ways that would further undermine the peace and stability of their communities going forward.”