By Fatima Muraina

As part of efforts to maintain law and order in Osse River Park, the Ondo State Government has arrested four suspects for illegal charcoal production in the park, vowing to implement the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) compliance guide.

The arrests were made yesterday by the State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Department of Wildlife Conservation, Parks and Ecotourism, in collaboration with the Department of Anti-Encroachment and the Joint Task Force.

The suspects were apprehended for the illegal felling of trees and the production of charcoal within the park.

According to a statement released by the Head of Media and Public Relations for the Ministry, Mr. Sola Omoboyowa, Osse River Park is a protected wildlife conservation area where logging, tree felling, and hunting are strictly prohibited.

Reacting to the arrests, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Chief Segun Odusanya, reaffirmed his commitment to upholding forestry laws in the state.

He emphasised that the government will continue to protect forests from destruction and ensure proper conservation of wildlife and ecotourism.

He stated that the suspects will be investigated and prosecuted as a deterrent to others.

Chief Odusanya attributed climate change to indiscriminate tree felling, encroachment into forest reserves, and other harmful practices. He urged the public to adopt tree-planting habits and reduce reckless deforestation to protect the environment and humanity.

He also warned encroachers in forest reserves, particularly those using farming as a guise, to desist from cultivating cash crop plantations.

He emphasized that the state government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, will implement the EUDR compliance guide. This includes the destruction of plantations established between 2021 and the present to safeguard the forests from extinction.

According to him, the Ministry is responsible for the protection and management of forest reserves to enforce its mandate.

He noted that indiscriminate tree felling under the pretense of farming tarnishes the state’s reputation and damages the environment.

“The EUDR compliance guide prohibits activities that contribute to deforestation and degradation. Farmers must comply in order to access international markets,” he affirmed.

Chief Odusanya further highlighted that the European Union has set a target to cease the importation of cocoa and other cash crops linked to deforestation. Given Ondo State’s leading role in cocoa production in Nigeria, the government cannot afford to disregard this regulation.

He urged farmers to adopt sustainable practices and respect forest reserve rules, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to protecting forests for the benefit of all.