Insecurity: Oyo suspends monarch over alleged links with illegal miners

*Dotun Oyelade, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, discloses Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has suspended Oba Gbolagade Babalola (Gbadewolu I), traditional ruler of Ido town, in Ido Local Government Area, following an intelligence report linking him to illegal miners in the area

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The Oyo State Government has said it suspended a traditional ruler for his alleged ties with illegal miners in the South-West state.

Dotun Oyelade, Oyo State Honourable Commissioner for Information and Orientation, who disclosed this development in a statement, said Governor Seyi Makinde had suspended Oba Gbolagade Babalola (Gbadewolu I), traditional ruler of Ido town, in Ido Local Government Area of the state over the alleged romance with pillagers of the Nigerian mineral resources.

It is recalled that recently, there were explosions that resulted from stored mining explosives in Adeyi  Avenue, Old Bodija Estate area of Ibadan, the state capital, in which about five people lost their lives and over 77 others got injured while several houses were destroyed in the unfortunate incident.

The Commissioner noted the Oyo State Government took the tough measure of suspending the monarch to send signals to those aiding and abetting criminals within their territory that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Oyelade also stated the Soto Government suspended the Onido of Ido, following an intelligence report linking him to illegal miners in the said local government area.

He further said: “In the light of our recent experience and the government’s daily efforts to rid our land of criminals, we are sending the signal to all like-minded elements to vacate our zone or be caught and brought to justice.”

In regard to possible dethronement of Onido when an investigation is concluded, the Commissioner said, “All options are on the table.”

Meanwhile, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Media, also has said the monarch’s suspension was approved Thursday, February 1 this year.

The governor’s media aide as well affirmed that Onido’s suspension followed a letter dated 2nd of February, 2024 and signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola.

The letter stated in part: “I wish to inform you that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State of Nigeria, in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by Sub-section 1&2 of Section 26 of the Chiefs Law, Cap. 28 Vol I, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000 and by all other enabling powers in that regard, has approved your suspension as the Onido of Ido in the area of authority of Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State.”

The official communication had directed Oba Babalola to hand over all government property in his possession to the Chairman of Ido Local Government Council of Oyo State.