Police arrest three illegal miners for murder in Osun

The Osun State Police Command, yesterday, arrested three suspected illegal miners for alleged murder of a farmer, Ezekiel Ajewole, during the invasion of his farm in Iberekodo-Ilesa area of the state.

Investigations revealed that the suspects are currently undergoing interrogations by the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), to unravel their involvement in the incident.

Ajewole, who owned a farm at Iberekodo in Atakunmosa West Local Council, reportedly confronted the suspects after encroaching his farmland and forced him out in order to extract gold from the land.

According to a top police officer who preferred anonymity, he said the deceased’s elder brother, Wole Ajewole narrated that the deceased’s farm had often been invaded by illegal miners allegedly working for Messrs Sunday Aluko and Ojo Olowookere.

The source added that the deceased was shot dead by his assailants when he challenged them to stop the mining activities on his farmland.

“Mr. Ajewole was killed by these illegal miners on his farm at Odo-Oko stream in Iberekodo-Ijesa Village, Ward 02, Atakunmosa West Local Council,” the source added.

Speaking on the development, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, who confirmed the incident, said investigations had commenced on the matter. She added that the SCID is on top of the case, promising that the perpetrators would face justice.