Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo
The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has called for the support of the federal government through the Nigeria Immigration Service in combatting the menace of illegal mining activities majorly being perpetrated by non-Nigerians in the various mining sites in the state.
Adeleke made this plea during the inauguration of Ilesha Passport Office by the Minister of Interior and former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola.
According to the governor, “I particularly urge the service to work closely with the Osun State Government to stop illegal migration from outside the country into Osun State. We have several reports of non-Nigerians flocking into the state, especially for illegal gold mining businesses.
“Our government is working hard to stop illegal mining. We need the cooperation of the Immigration Service and other security agencies to stop aliens from swamping into our state in search of gold. We are reshaping our solid minerals policy to enhance partnership in this respect.”
Governor Adeleke expressed his administration’s readiness in supporting the services of the newly unveiled passport office just as he extolled the excellent performance of the Federal Ministry of Interior under the leadership of Aregbesola.
He said: “I assure the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) of our government’s readiness to support the service in the discharge of its mandate.
“I identify with the commendable strides of my brother and former Governor of Osun State, Aregbesola, as the Minister of Internal Affairs. We are here today because the Federal Ministry of Interior under his leadership is expanding its facilities for internal and external identification of Nigerians.”
