By Yusuf Boluwatife
Sawmillers in Ijebuland, on Wednesday, stormed Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, to protest the release of alleged notorious and illegal tree feller by the Police.
The PUNCH reported that the protesters were drawn from different groups including the Ogun State chapters of Forestry Association of Nigeria; Sawmillers Association of Nigeria; Timber Explorers Association of Nigeria and the Timber Contractors Association of Nigeria, among others.
Chief of their concerns was over the activities of illegal tree fellers and loggers at the Omo Forest Reserves in Ogbere, Ijebu-East Local Government Area of the state.
The protesters, while addressing newsmen, alleged that one Adetutu Ajayi, “who was arrested with dangerous weapon and handed over to Police,” has been released by the security agents.
They jointly alleged that the Police had arrested and later released the suspect who, they claimed, had been threatening them in the forest reserve.
Secretary, Forestry Association of Nigeria, Ogun chapter, Jide Fakayode, explained that there were some elements who engaged in destroying the forestry for their selfish interest.
He noted that the timber contractors were licensed by government before working in the forest, saying that “over the years, some people had visited the reserves illegally to steal what contractors had logged with their own money.”
They accused policemen in Oke-Mosan of aiding the problem by releasing illegal fellers that are arrested by licensed contractors and handed over to law enforcement agents.
A former President of the Forestry Association of Nigeria, James Odebiyi, appealed to the state government to intensify efforts at protecting the forest reserve, saying that the situation was affecting the resources due to the coffers of the state government.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed Adetutu Ajayi’s arrest, saying he was released to treat the injury he sustained during his arrest.
He said, “He (the suspect) was released to a reliable surety to enable him to go and treat himself, so that they would bring him back and we would charge him to court. So, what is their fear?”
