Oyo Govt Nabs Five Over Illegal Sand Excavation at Farm Settlement

• Safiu Kehinde

The Oyo State Government has nabbed five suspects over illegal sand excavation in the state with trailer-load of laterite, gravel and excavator impounded.

This was made known in a statement issued on Thursday by Aderonke A. Aderemi, the Chairperson of the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA).

According to the statement, the suspects were arrested during an enforcement operation carried out by OYRLEA, in collaboration with the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) and security operatives, at Akufo Farm Settlement in Ido Local Government Area of the state.

This followed reports of alleged illegal sand excavation on the farm where laterite and gravel were removed from the 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, with some located within existing plantations.

‘The scale of the excavation showed significant impact on the agricultural land.’ The statement partly read.

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, according to the statement, underscores the potential threat posed by such activities to agricultural production and food security.

OYRLEA also impounded an excavator believed to have been used for the excavation and loading of laterite and gravel.

The operator was, however, not found at the scene as he was suspected to have fled at the arrival of the enforcement team.

According to one of the farmers in the settlement, not less than 50 trailer-loads of laterite and gravel were allegedly being excavated and removed from the farm daily.

This raises concerns about the scale of the activities and their potential impact on the agricultural development objectives of the farm settlement.