The Governor of Ogun state, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has ordered the immediate demolition of an illegal N20 million bridge across Oluwa River, a boundary between Omo Forest, Area J4, Ijebu-East in Ogun and Ondo States.

The Commissioner for Forestry, Tunji Akinosi, in a statement released by the state Information Officer, Soji Solarin, said some set of people have begun the construction of the bridge to loot the state’s resources.

“The aims and objectives behind the heinous act are for easy transportation of the state’s forest resources by illegal loggers and flitches production called ‘Alamole’, to be freely stolen and taken away to neighbouring states.

“The present administration would not fold its arms and allow illegal settlers to take over the forest reserve.

He added that “Some unscrupulous elements are behind the illegal construction which must have gulped about N15 to N20 million.

“Many of the settlers who keep illegal arms to perpetrate crimes would be arrested and charged to court.

“Armed soldiers would remain part of the frequent monitoring exercises in order to prevent banditry which is becoming prevalent nationwide.”