The Ogun state government has ordered the demolition of a bridge constructed by unknown persons in a forest in the state.
The bridge worth N20 million was constructed in a remote area in Ijebu East Local Government area of Ogun State.
It was gathered that the bridge was built across Oluwo river to link Omo Forest in Area J4 to a village in Ondo State.
The Ogun state government referred to the construction of the bridge as “illegal” and asked for it to be demolished.
The bridge is suspected to have been constraints by illegal loggers, who have been engaging in illegal felling of trees.
On Saturday, Jan 9, the state Commissioner for Forestry, Hon. Tunji Akinosi led a monitoring team to Laagan village where he saw the 50-metre long bridge.
In a statement, the Information Officer of the Ministry, Soji Solarin, stated that the Commissioner ordered that the bridge, which is almost completed, be destroyed within two weeks.
According to Akinosi, those constructing the bridge were doing so to easily transport stolen state’s forest resources by illegal loggers and have them taken away to neighbouring states.
He disclosed that some unscrupulous elements are behind the illegal bridge, saying it must have gulped about N15 million to N20 million.
He threatened to arrest and prosecute settlers keeping illegal arms to perpetrate crimes in the area.
“Armed soldiers would remain part of the frequent monitoring exercises in order to prevent banditry which is becoming prevalent nationwide,” he said.
