Govt Illegal Loggers, Occupants Of Wildlife Areas
ITASIN ELEPHANTS KILLING: GOVERNMENT SCALES UP SECURITY
Following the death of Musa Kalamu, a farmer, by a roaming Elephant from one of the government reserved forests in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, government has promised to tighten security in and around the area to prevent future occurrence.
Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun while playing host to delegates from Itasin on invitation of the Government gave the assurance, urging the indigenes of the area not to be apprehensive and believe that Government would stand by them.
He told them to disregard falsehood that could be flying around in the social media concerning the incident in the village. According to him, most of these stories were false.
Engr. Oludotun reminded them that the deed had already been done and what was left was for the people involved to keep calm, be wary of rumours mongers and allow Government to adequately secure the area.
He however, faulted illegal occupants of the wildlife conservation area whose aim was to destroy the natural habitant of the wild life by engaging in illegal cutting of trees, including those mounted with CCTV camera, thereby chasing the Elephants away from their natural abode, by doing so,the wild animals would live their abode and stray around even up to residential areas.
“Most of these problems are caused by our people, especially those engaging in illegal logging and occupants in the forest who often engage in cutting of trees into flishes and other anti-forestry activities”, the Commissioner noted.
Engr. Adedotun stress that government had at a time written an official letter to the community on the presence of the wild animals in the area, noting that the State government would step up publicity and awareness campaign in addition to the ones already been done by the West Africa Biodiversity Conservation Trust (WABCT) and others engaged for the purpose.
While promising the delegation of government commitment to the wellbeing of the citizens of the State, Engr. Adedokun promised to forward their request to the appropriate authority.
Responding, a former member of the National Assembly in the botched second republic, Hon. S.A Bakare and Olisa of Itasin, Chief Adewale Obilana, urged the State government to disregard whatever might have been written in the social media concerning the incident.
They however craved for motorable roads which would serve as alternative route to major towns and cities, thereby making it easy for indigenes of the area who are mainly fishermen and farmers to have seamless activities conducted in their areas of operations.
Meanwhile management of the Ministry had promised to pay a sympathy visit to the family at a date to be announced later.
