Five suspects have been arrested over alleged illegal excavation of laterite and gravel at the Akufo Farm Settlement in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The suspects were arrested during a joint enforcement operation by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency and security operatives, according to a statement released by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, on Friday.
Oyelade said the operation followed reports of unauthorised excavation and removal of laterite and gravel from agricultural land managed by OYSADA.
He said, “The operation was prompted by concerns over the unauthorised excavation and removal of laterite and gravel from agricultural land under the management of OYSADA.
“Upon arrival, the enforcement team intercepted a trailer fully loaded with laterite and gravel as it was leaving the settlement. The vehicle was immediately stopped and impounded. Five suspects allegedly connected to the excavation activities were also arrested.
“During an inspection of the area, the team discovered multiple points of suspected illegal excavation, some of which were located within existing plantations. The extent of the excavation showed significant impact on the agricultural land.
“Of particular concern was a cassava plantation where mature cassava crops reportedly ready for harvest had been destroyed and left to waste as a result of the excavation. This underscores the potential threat such activities pose to agricultural production and food security.”
Oyelade said the enforcement team also impounded an excavator believed to have been used for the excavation and loading of laterite and gravel, but its operator was not found at the scene.
According to him, “Freshly prepared food and other personal belongings were found around the abandoned equipment, suggesting that the operator may have fled shortly before or upon sighting the enforcement team.”
A farmer at the settlement, according to the statement, alleged that no fewer than 50 trailer-loads of laterite and gravel were being excavated and removed from the farm daily.
The claim raised concerns about the alleged scale of the activities and their potential impact on the agricultural development objectives of the farm settlement.
The authorities described the unauthorised excavation and removal of laterite and gravel from government agricultural land as unlawful and a threat to the utilisation, preservation and development of the farm settlement.
The five suspects, whose identities were withheld, were detained at the Amotekun Corps Divisional Headquarters in Ido, pending further investigation and arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction.
OYRLEA and OYSADA subsequently reaffirmed their commitment to protecting government agricultural assets, enforcing relevant laws and preventing activities capable of undermining the state’s agricultural development initiatives.