The Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Forestry, Dr Olurotimi Akinlesi has warned dwellers in the State forest enclaves against resorting to burying their loved ones there.

Dr. Akinlesi who handed down the warning at a meeting with Baales and farmers at J6 in Ijebu East Local Government Area, said though the act was usually perpetrated by people from neighboring states, adding that it was often carried out with connivance of some indigenes.

He said “forest reserves are for tree planting and not a burial ground, the Ministry will do everything within the ambit of the law to protect it”.

Dr. Akinlesi enjoined the Balees and farmers to allow peace to reign, saying the  government would not condone any act of lawlessness in whatever form in any part of the State where reserves are located.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Forestry, Revd. Oyeyemi Oyebanji-John advised that all hands must be on deck, to move the State Forest Reserves forward, saying most of the State forests had been basterdised as a result of  “sharp practices” often carried out by illegal dwellers.