The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State has denied issuing any lease agreement with illegal miners operating within the school premises.
It also disclosed that the school authority had earlier reported the activities of illegal miners to the appropriate Federal Government agencies to curb the illegal actions.
Illegal miners were said to be operating in some areas of the school premises thereby endangering the lives of students and staff of the University, but some operators claimed they had a license to operate.
However, in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju on Saturday denied that the authority issued any individual, group or company any consent to operate within its premises.
It reads, “While the University has, since becoming aware of the illegal activities of these miners, written a formal complaint to the appropriate government authorities, it is equally important to inform the general public that the claim of these trespassers are totally false.
“The University therefore wishes to use this medium to inform the general public, especially our alumni and other stakeholders, that the University did not give any consent to any individual, group, company or association to obtain any license to carry out mining activities on its land.
“Furthermore, the University did not, at any time, sign any agreement with any individual, company or group for the purpose of mining activities on its land.
“We wish to assure the concerned members of the University, stakeholders and members of the general public that the University is taking all lawful steps to stop the activities of these trespassers, which constitute devastating environmental hazard to the University estate and are most embarrassing.
“We have the assurance of the Federal authorities that the complaint of the University is receiving necessary attention”.
