Osun State government has declared that its action against illegal miners and breach of borders is to prevent the spread of coronavirus in accordance with the presidential directive that banned all interstate travels and movements.
The government made the declaration against alleged misrepresentation of the statement made by the state government in which it sounded an alarm about the activities of illegal miners in the state and those breaching its borders.
“We are awestruck by the fact that anyone could seize such logical precautionary response in the midst of a global health emergency, to score cheap political points,” the government said.
It stated that while the state government recognised the right of every Nigerian to live anywhere within the country, it placed premium on the health and safety of its people, and would continue to do everything within its power to protect its people.
It said it believed in the unity of Nigeria, but would not hesitate to take actions against those who breached its borders and try to jeopardize the health of its people.
In a statement by its Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, the state said it had acted within its legal and moral boundaries.
The statement reads in part:
“The State of Osun has been on a total lockdown, and logically, its mines are closed. Unfortunately, we have discovered that certain unscrupulous persons have been sneaking into the state illegally, breaching the state’s borders in the process. The Government of the State of Osun will act only therefore within legal and moral boundaries.
“All we are doing is following Presidential directive that banned all interstate travels and movement.
“The State of Osun has shown highest regards to the respective State Governments of the concerned people by attempting to return them to their places rather than prosecuting them under the State’s Emergency Regulation.
“Every State in the country is upscaling its security measures in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, and other vices. Zamfara State Government, a few days back, arrested some suspected illegal miners in the State.
“If “alleged” illegal miners are abhorred in Zamfara, why then should the State of Osun be crucified for being safety conscious?
“The State Government of Osun recognises the right of every Nigerian to live anywhere within the country. We are a responsible and responsive government that places premium on the health and safety of its people, and we will continue to do everything within our power to protect our people.”
