Barely a week after the Forestry Association of Nigeria which is the umbrella body for all Foresters and Wood-Based Practitioners in Nigeria converged in Abeokuta, the Capital of Ogun State for its 44th Annual Conference, six persons have been apprehended for carrying out illegal activities within the Omo Forest Reserves.
Omo Forest Reserve which is one of the forest reserves in Ogun State has been under continuous siege by economic saboteurs who have been committing illegalities within the forest and stealing the commonwealth of the good people of Ogun State. Most unfortunate is the fact that the effects of their nefarious activities is beyond naira and Kobo as they contribute significantly to environmental degradation.
It would be recalled that one Mr. Tutu Ajayi ( Iron body) was also arrested within the Omo Forest Reserve for allegedly carrying out production of flitches also known as “Alumole” within the reserve. Worse still was the fact that the said Mr Tutu Ajayi allegedly attempted to kill one of those who were out to curb his illegal activities. Maybe if the case of Mr Tutu Ajayi had been followed to a logical conclusion, it would have served as deterrent to others.
Also, in a related development, some officers of the Ministry of Forestry who are representatives of the Government of Ogun State were allegedly matcheted and injured by some for trying to carry out their lawful duties of arrest of perpetrators of illegal activities within the forest.
In all these arrests is the intervention of the Ijebu Sawmillers and Timber Contractors Association led by its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Alhaji Aliu Ibrahim (Ojoge)
ValidViewNetwork reports that Ojoge as he is generally known suffered bodily injuries when he was attacked by people loyal to Mr. Tutu Ajayi who was arrested for illegal activities.
Alhaji Ojoge lying critically ill after the attack by hoodlums loyal to Iron body.
If many had expressed the type of commitment of the likes of Alhaji Ojoge, perhaps our forests would have been in a better position.
Other items arrested in this current development are 3 felling machines, 2 motorcycles and 3 tractors.
At the helm of affairs of the Ministry of Forestry is Engr. Oludotun Taiwo who has continuously promised to commit his energy, expertise and experience to curbing illegal activities within the forest reserves in Ogun State, ValidViewNetwork reports.
