The Osun State Government has raised an alarm over the emergence of unauthorized operators disrupting revenue collection activities, encroaching on state land, and obstructing lawful government operations.

According to a statement issued by the commissioner for information and public enlightenment

Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the illegal operators, posing as ‘Federal Monitoring,’ are reportedly patrolling forest reserves owned by the Osun State Government, obstructing officials from carrying out legitimate revenue-generating activities.

The statement furthered, “We are concerned to note that these brazen and illegal activities have the backing of some compromised security agents who are obviously providing cover for them.

“A recent experience lends credence to this as the illegal operators invaded a property of the Osun State Government in Asejire with some mobile policemen, launching vicious attack on state officials at the control post and hitting one of them on the foot with a bullet shot.

“in a related development , an alleged federal group has invaded and occupied lands around Owalla dams bulldozing the areas around the dams without any authorisation

“The group, when confronted, claimed to be acting on the directive of an unnamed federal group.

“It is to be noted that the land and the area are being managed by the water corporation.

“These incursions are quite crude, unconstitutional and unacceptable. As a Government, we strongly condemn the violence visited on state officials while discharging their lawful duties by illegal operators with the active participation of some compromised security agents.”

Furthermore, the Osun State Government stated that it has alerted the President to the development, suspecting involvement by operatives of the opposition All Progressive Congress. 

The government further asserts its ownership of the lands around the Owalla dams, managed by the Water Corporation, and expresses its commitment to developing the area as a hinterland beach resort for economic benefit.