The government of Oyo State in Nigeria halted a leader’s duties following claims that he was involved in enabling unauthorized mining operations within protected forest areas, as reported.The Guardian Nigeria.
Chief Jacob Adefabi Sobaloju, the Sobaloju of Ofiki, was put on hold starting Monday, January 5, 2026. The Guardian Nigeria stated that this move came after claims he supported unauthorized entry onto government-designated properties and broke Executive Order 001/2023. This law oversees mining operations throughout Oyo State.
The Department of Local Government and Traditional Leadership released a statement in reply. It charged the ruler with providing approval letters to mining firms without appropriate permission and allowing mining activities inside protected forest areas. The communication referred to the suspension as a preventive action to maintain the credibility of the current inquiry.
“I am instructed to notify you that you are being accused of breaching State Executive Order 001/2023, which regulates mining operations in Oyo State, and of promoting unauthorized entry onto government-designated properties,” the letter states.stated, as reported by The Guardian Nigeria.
As part of the suspension, Chief Sobaloju was required to leave the residence of the Onitọ of Ito. He is also to immediately stop all mining-related actions, including granting permission letters to miners. Additionally, he was told not to hinder the investigation and to be accessible to officials when needed.
Illegal miningposes significant dangers to forest environments, water sources, and nearby populations in Nigeria and similar regions.Conservation areasassist in bringing back endangered species and safeguard water quality and biological diversity.
Water contamination caused by runoff and sediment from mining activities in these protected areas can harm drinking water supplies. As a result, both humans and natural environments suffer adverse effects on their well-being.
Officials from Oyo State mentioned that the government has increased its enforcement actions in recent years to stop unauthorized mining, especially within forest reserves and rural areas. Authorities listed environmental damage, safety concerns, and the loss of public income as major factors in enhancing monitoring efforts.
The state government emphasized that the enforcement of mining regulations will be applied without regard to rank or position. This indicates that additional penalties may be imposed if investigations verify the claims.
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Officials discover a government employee’s connection to a criminal activity concealed within the woods: ‘Promoting unauthorized access to government … property’ first appeared on The Cool Down.