17 Chinese men arrested for illegal mining in Osun

27 illegal miners, comprising 17 Chinese nationals and 10 locals, including a local traditional chief have been arrested In Osun State.

They were arrested following a coordinated sting operation around Ilesa and Ife axis of the State by the recently inaugurated Joint Task Force, JTF.

READ ALSO: 2 Chinese arrested for illegal gold mining in Zamfara .

Speaking on the development, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Mr Abdullahi Binuyo, said no responsible government would fold its arms and watch its land being degraded by unauthorized persons.

Mr Binuyo noted that aside the economic leakages, the illegal miners flouted the covid-19 stay at home order, while they also polluted the Osun River with poisonous metals, thereby making it unsafe for human consumption and irrigation.

He added that apart from ensuring that those arrested were prosecuted, they would also be made to pay compensation.