By Aiyeku Timothy
The Ondo State Security Network, known as the Amotekun Corps, have arrested 15 persons suspected to be mining gold illegally inside the Owo forest reserves.
It was gathered that the suspects have been operating in 50 locations inside the forest before they were nabbed.
Those identified are Shuaibu Yahaya, Habbi Usman, Kabiru Waheed, Mohammed Nurudeen, Mohammed Sulaman, Ali Mustapha, Ismaila Wahab, Musa Zeehed, Gabbar Musa, Sule Adamu Abba Suleman, Usman Kebiru, Yahaya Danladi and Usman Ali Zekeri.
Amotekun officials said it took a four hours trek into the forest to find the illegal miners after receiving intelligence report, aided by local hunters.
According to Commander Chief Adetunji Adeleye, the arrest was part of efforts to end crime.
He said “The arrest took place at a forest reserve in Owo. We discovered the illegal mining locations in the course of our usual exercise. We noticed that they have gone far in 50 locations where they were mining.
“Nobody would have believed that Ondo State has this quality of gold until we got to the locations where the gold robbers were living and performing illegal mining. Beyond the arrest, the culprits will be prosecuted.”
While interrogating them, one Kabiru Shuaib, who said he hails from Kebbi State, explained that he worked as a security guard before he was invited by his friend, Yunisa, to join in the business.
“I have been performing the act since 2019.
“I came looking for job and I was introduced by one of our leaders who is at large. He brought me to Ondo State for this job because I wanted to make money.
“After digging very deep, we got the black gold and separated the sand from the gold with a flat sieve with a rug. The rug will do the separation as we pour the sand on it.
“I am the second best in getting the gold, as it is a very high quality gold. We only get it out and send back home to our boss, who sells them and later pays us.
“The gold in the land is of very high quality. Mostly we get 25 carats, 20 carats, sometimes we get 15-carat gold. And we make good money.”
