Ogun confiscates woods worth millions from illegal merchants

The Ogun State Government has halted the felling of trees in its forests

The Ogun State Government has confiscated woods and planks worth millions of naira, felled illegally by wood merchants at Ajibandele Village in Area J6 Forest Reserve of the State.

The Commissioner for Forestry in the State, Ayo Olubori, who made this known in Abeokuta while conducting journalists round the confiscated woods, described the act as the peak of confrontation with government, especially at a time the State Government had suspended activities in all its forest reserves.

“I think this is outrageous and infact, the peak of confrontation that government had ever received from the daring illegal wood traders and smugglers” he said.

Mr. Olubori said the 24 hours surveillance of the nine forest reserves was an attempt to bring into operation the zero tolerance for illegal exploitation of the state’s forest reserves.

“What you see is an attempt to operationalise the vision of his Excellency, in support of his zero tolerance campaign against illegal wood exploitation across the state,” he said.

Speaking on how the feat was achieved, the commissioner revealed that the government got a tip-off from some residents in the area.

“We got a tip off from the people and reacted spontaneously and when we got to the spot where the illegality took place, the hooligans took to their heels having sighted us, though we demobilized about nine lorries and tractors, we ensured that we evacuated every plank we met in the bush that night though it was late, around 3:00.a.m’.

‘We were there till daybreak until we evacuated every plank there down to Abeokuta,” he explained.

Commending those who gave the tip-off for their patriotism, Mr. Olubori declared that government remained unperturbed about the antics of the unscrupulous elements involved in the act.

He assured that government was equal to the task of stopping the illegal merchants that were hell bent on stealing the common wealth of the people.

The commissioner also emphasised that activities in all the forest reserves in the State remained suspended and would resume as soon as due consultations by government with relevant stakeholders are concluded.