The Ogun State government is going tough on illegal mining of laterite and sand across the state, an activity that has increased environmental degradation.

During a raid conducted on the proposed site for an industrial park along the Lagos Ibadan expressway, about 20 tippers and articulated trucks were impounded while over 20 people were arrested.

The Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Bimbo Ashiru, led the team of security personnel who took these illegal miners by surprise

On sighting them, the illegal miners knew the game was up, and took to their heels, but not everyone was lucky.

The commissioner warned the suspects to desist from such acts, as the area had already been mapped out for the state industrial park.

Threat To State projects

“This is an illegal mining site. You can see the number of people that ran out of this place on seeing us. That means on daily basis they come in here, cash away with the sand, dredge the way they want to do it and do whatever they like.

“We have been able to arrest five vehicles. We’ll take them back to Abeokuta. The owners will come and explain to us who gave them the permit and license to start doing this kind of damage. The topography of the site has been adversely altered. The state ministry is now skeptical, because this situation could hamper the realisation of the proposed industrial park,” he said.

The suspects were handed over to the police for prosecution.