Daud Olatunji
Timber dealers in Ogun State have raised concerns over the rampant destruction of valuable economic trees by illegal cocoa farmers within the government-owned Omo Forest Reserve at J4.
The dealers, operating under the Ijebu Sawmillers and Timber Contractors Association, claim that the illegal activities of these cocoa farmers have resulted in an estimated loss of over N500 million annually for the state government.
The association alleged that 90 percent of these illegal cocoa farmers are foreigners from states such as Benue, Edo, Kwara, Osun, Nasarawa, and Ondo.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that these individuals were reportedly armed and have turned the Omo Forest Reserve into a battleground for illegal cocoa cultivation.
The situation, according to the timber dealers, is not only affecting the state’s economy but also posing a significant security threat.
Speaking on behalf of the association, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Pa Aliu Ibrahim, lamented the persistent destruction of the state’s remaining forest reserves.
At 75, Ibrahim recalled that during the administration of former Governor Gbenga Daniel, efforts were made to expel these illegal farmers.
He said however, since Daniel’s exit from office in 2011, the problem has escalated, with the number of illegal farmers increasing significantly.
Ibrahim described the destructive activities as “a disturbing development” that the government can no longer afford to ignore.
He highlighted the ruthless nature of these farmers, accusing them of using harmful chemicals to kill economic trees, many of which were planted with World Bank funding.
“They destroy the trees and plant cocoa and banana. Gov. Dapo Abiodun must act swiftly to remove these illegal farmers and reclaim our forest reserves,” he said.
The chairman further noted that these illegal farmers have no stake in Ogun’s local politics, as they often return to their states of origin during elections, making them “parasites” who contribute nothing to the state’s political landscape.
In his remarks, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Opeoluwa Idowu, emphasized the need for decisive action, urging the Ogun State government to replicate the measures taken by the Ondo State government, which successfully removed illegal farmers from its reserves.
Idowu, who also serves as the President of the Sawmillers Association of Ogun State, expressed frustration at the wanton destruction of the forest’s natural habitat and economic trees.
“As an association, we have planted economic trees on 15 hectares of land, and these illegal farmers have also destroyed them.
They often attack us with dangerous weapons, and their criminal activities cannot continue unchecked,” Idowu said.
He added that the illegal cocoa farmers have significantly reduced the once-thriving timber industry in Ogun State, with the Omo Forest Reserve being the last surviving forest in the region.
Idowu warned that the illegal activities of these farmers are causing irreversible damage to the ecosystem, with endangered species such as elephants being driven away due to deforestation.
He called on the government to act urgently to prevent further environmental degradation and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Echoing these concerns, Pastor Funmileye Akinukawe, the Secretary of the Sawmillers Association, commended Governor Abiodun and the Commissioner for Forestry, Engr Taiwo Oludotun, for their previous efforts to curb the activities of the illegal farmers.
However, he noted that the situation has now reached a dangerous tipping point, with the illegal farmers occupying over 90 percent of the Omo Forest Reserve.
Akinukawe revealed that while licensed timber contractors generated over N900 million for the state last year, the illegal cocoa farmers have been siphoning their produce to neighboring states like Osun and Ondo, further depriving Ogun of much-needed revenue.
“The situation is worrisome, and we fear that these illegal cocoa farmers might turn our forest reserves into another Sambisa Forest, given the level of weapons they are bringing into the area,” Akinukawe added.
Mr. Thomas Dehinbo, the Treasurer of the association, urged the government to relocate the illegal farmers to designated farm settlements across the state, noting that forest reserves were never intended for cocoa plantations.
Dehinbo warned that failure to act promptly could lead to future regret, as the destructive impact of the illegal farming activities is already overwhelming.
In response to these concerns, the Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Engr Taiwo Oludotun, confirmed that the government is aware of the issue and is taking steps to address it.
“The government is working on this challenge, and we are determined to protect our forest reserves,” Oludotun assured.
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