Toba Adedeji, Osogbo
The Osun State Government has said the planned deportation of some illegal miners from Zamfara State was a precautionary measure to contain community transmission of COVID-19.
The Nation reports that the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of Osun State, Prince Abdullahi Binuyo, alleged that some indigenes of Zamfara State sneaked into the state, threatening that the Amotekun Corps in Osun had been asked to arrest and deport them.
A statement issued by the Zamfara State Government through the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communications, Zailani Bappa, on Thursday faulted the stance of the Osun State Government, saying that it smacked of bad taste.
Responding to the development, Osun State Commissioner of Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, said yesterday: “We’re deporting illegal miners who breached lockdown order in our state.”
She noted that the action of the state was based on the ban President Muhammadu Buhari placed on all interstate travels and movements.
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Egbemode said: “Osun government was taken aback by the misinterpretation of its statement in which it sounded an alarm about the activities of illegal miners in the state and those breaching its orders.
“The government recognises the right of every Nigerian to live anywhere within the country but will however act within legal and moral boundaries by returning the illegal miners to their last known addresses.”
She stressed that the state government believes in the unity of the nation but will not hesitate to take actions against those who breach its boundaries and try to jeopardise the health of its people.”
She said Osun State has shown highest regard for the respective state governments of the concerned people by trying to return them to their states 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 should Osun State be crucified for being safety conscious?” she queried.
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