Five persons have been arrested in connection with alleged illegal excavation and removal of laterite and gravel from agricultural land at the Akufo Farm Settlement in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The Punch reported that the arrests were made during a joint enforcement operation involving the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency and security personnel.
The state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, saying the operation was launched following reports of unauthorised mining activities on farmland 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.”
The enforcement team also recovered an excavator allegedly used to dig and load the laterite and gravel. However, the operator reportedly escaped before the arrival of the officials.
According to Oyelade, “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 reportedly told the authorities that as many as 50 trailer-loads of laterite and gravel were allegedly being extracted and taken away from the farm each day.
The allegation has heightened concerns over the extent of the mining operation and its possible consequences for agricultural activities within the settlement.
The authorities described the unauthorised extraction of laterite and gravel from government-owned agricultural land as illegal, warning that the practice could undermine the preservation and development of the farm settlement.
The five arrested suspects, whose names were not disclosed, are being held at the Amotekun Corps Divisional Headquarters in Ido while investigations continue.
They are expected to be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction after the investigation.
OYRLEA and OYSADA also reiterated their determination to protect government agricultural assets, enforce relevant laws and stop activities capable of frustrating the state’s agricultural development programmes.
