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Edo groups write President Tinubu, governor Ikpebholo, Environment minister, Security heads over security threats, illegal logging in Okomu National Park

By Peters Monday, Abuja
A coalition of groups in Edo State under the auspices of Concerned Sons and Daughters of the Riverine Area of Edo State has called on the president of the federation, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the Edo State governor, His Excellency Monday Ikpebholo, Minister of environment, IGP, DSS, Chief of Army Staff and Commander of 4th brigade, Edo State to swing into action to stop what it described as an imminent security threat to the Okomu National Park Reserve and Riverine communities in the state.
The group in a statement signed by its national coordinator Chief Sile Bekewi, Hon. Ogidigba Godstime,
Secretary and Hon. Ezekiel Daniel, spokesperson alleged that some individuals, both within and outside the state are stockpiling firearms to terrorise the Riverine communities to pave for other nefarious activities.
According to the group, the previous administration had made significant efforts to curb illegal logging in the park, deploying special forces to the area and successfully reducing kidnapping, armed robbery, and other criminal activities.
However, the group now warned that sawmillers, led by their president, and external bodies have collected over N2billion from lorry owners and buyers to facilitate the purchase of the logs. This move, they argued, will not only damage the ecological system but also provide an opportunity for illegal loggers to fell more trees.
The group is urging the governor to intervene and stop the proposed evacuation of timber logs, citing the National Park Act, which states that fallen trees should be allowed to decay and become manure for other trees to grow.
They also warn that failure to act will embolden kidnappers, sea pirates, and other criminal elements to rebuild their empire in the riverine area, undermining the government’s interests and the global status of the Okomu National Park Reserve.
The statement reads, “We the aforementioned Organization are Law abiding citizens, peace loving, Security conscious and Developmental oriented.
His Excellencies Sir, we want to use this medium to inform you of plans by some enemies of the Okumu National Park Reserve within and outside the State to purchase some timber logs inside the Park, which were fallen by illegal loggers since the year 2020.
“His Excellencies, it may interest you to note that previous administrations fought tirelessly to stop illegal logging in the Okomu National Park Reserve, reason special force security was stationed at mile 3 junction inikorogha wards in Ovia South West Local Government Area, Edo State. Since the deployment of special force to mile 3 junctions till date, the issue of kidnapping, Armed Robbery, Illegal logging and other forms of Criminal activities have stopped completely.
“His Excellencies sawmillers led by their President and some External bodies have collected over Two Billion Naira (2,000.000,000.00) form both lorry Owners and Buyers to facilitate the purchase of the said logs from National Park head Office in Abuja down to the State, including the conservator of Park Okomu National Park.
OUR PRAYERS
“1. His Excellency Sir, please use your good office to stop the proposed evacuation of timber logs in Okomu National Park Reserve to avoid resurface of insecurity in the Riverine area of the State as hoodlums and Criminal Element from other States have started trooping in to Inikorogha and other Riverine Communities in the State.
“2. His Excellency Sir, this propose Evacuation should stop because it will further damage the Ecological System,besides, sawmillers and illegal loggers have conclude plans to hide under the said Evacuation to fall more trees, However, the National Park act State clearly that if any animal die or trees are fall inside the Park let that animal or tree decay to become manur for other trees to grow.
“3. His Excellency Sir, everywhere in the world nations are planting trees to protect its Ecological System, it will be hazardous to the people if under your watch the remaining part of Okomu National Park Reserve is invaded by sawmillers and loggers mostly from outside Edo State.
“4. Kidnappers, sea pirates and other criminal elements whose brigandage acts was stopped by previous administration have perfected plans to use this medium to rebuild their empire to constitute a parallel power base in the riverine area, which will at long run not be at the interest of the government taken into account the global status of Okomu National Park”, they noted.
The group urged the security heads within and outside the state to put up their sleeves, ensuring that the culprits were apprehended and brought to justice.