Ooni Reacts to Alleged Involvement in Illegal Mining

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has denied any involvement with illegal miners in Osun state. 

Allnews reports that seventeen Chinese nationals mining gold in the state were arrested by law enforcement agents recently. Others apprehended include nine locals and a local traditional ruler (Baale). 

This news medium gathered that the arrest was executed by the recently inaugurated Osun State Security Taskforce (Amotekun) around Ilesa and Ife axis of the state.

Meanwhile, Mr Ogunwusi reacted to a video circulated on social media, which claimed that Chinese nationals involved in illegal mining in Osun State paid him huge before their illegal activities.

This was contained in a statement issued by his media officer, Moses Olafare, which was sent to Allnews. 

The Royal father said It is unfortunate that some supposed Omoluabis as known of descendants of Oduduwa globally would allow themselves to be used against their own source and heritage, it is equally pathetic to realise the damage being currently done by the malicious video especially against the person, image and character of the Arole Oduduwa.

According to the prominent monarch, the disputed land is located at Aruwa village within the Alaba-Ijesa community in Atakumosa West Local Government.

" It is an Ijesa land under the paramount rulership of Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, the Owa-Obokun of Ijesaland." 

“The traditional ruler of the town ‘Oba Alaba of Aba-Ijesa who should have been earlier contacted before the stage-managed video is still alive and should be the one to clarify the matter.”

He stated that the perpetrators are being mischievous. 

He added that the Palace of the Ooni, which houses several traditional courts through which issues including those related to land grabbing, domestic violence, chieftaincy matters among others are being resolved amicably, is always made open to such complaints.

“Such a matter should have been reported to the Ooni whose Palace is always open to seek clarifications and get his side of the story.

“But with the confrontational approach of sponsors and promoters of the video, it is obvious that they were only out to smear the image of the Ooni.

“Unfortunately, the Ooni and other right-thinking individuals who saw the stage-managed video laughed over the comedy and prayed that the good Almighty Olodumare forgives those behind the campaign of calumny.

“In the same vein, the agents of confusion are equally implored to desist from such shameful acts," the monarch warned.