- Governor Seyi Makinde ordered the closure of a suspected illegal mining facility processing lithium within Oyo State
- Four individuals were arrested for operating without a license at the facility, originally intended for recycling batteries and tires
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde ordered the closure of a facility suspected of illegal mining activities, where lithium was being processed and packaged within the state.
According to Sulaimon Olarewaju, the chief press secretary to the governor, the facility, originally intended for recycling batteries and tires, was shut down by the governor.
Additionally, four individuals suspected of operating at the site were arrested for operating without the requisite license from the state government.
During an impromptu inspection visit to the factory site in Idi Ayunre, Oluyole Local Government Area, Ibadan, Governor Makinde revealed that preliminary investigations uncovered that Chinese nationals ran the factory.
While acknowledging that the federal government had issued an operational license to the miners in compliance with constitutional provisions, Governor Makinde expressed concerns over security threats when states are not involved in issuing mining licenses.
Governor Makinde cited Executive Order 001 of 2024, which mandates the safe handling of harmful substances, noting that the factory and its operators had violated this directive. He affirmed that the arrested individuals would face prosecution as per the law.
Furthermore, Governor Makinde announced the state government’s intention to take legal action to assume control of the illegal facility until a thorough investigation is conducted.
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