Tension erupted on Tuesday at Ibodi, Atakunmosa West Local Government Area of Osun State, as chairmen of local governments in Ijesa South Federal Constituency clashed with military personnel over their efforts to end illegal activities in their domain.
The council chairmen, accompanied by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the police, insisted that the military personnel stop giving cover to the illegal miners causing environmental damage in the land.
The delegation had visited the communities over residents’ lamentations about environmental degradation and security challenges precipitated by illegal miners.
The confrontation occurred when the council chairmen attempted to halt the activities of miners collecting illegal tickets and levies from unlicensed officials at an illegal mining site.
The military personnel at the location prevented the enforcement team from stopping the operation, leading to a heated standoff.
The situation was eventually brought under control following the intervention of the member representing Ijesa South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sanya Omirin, alongside senior police officers.