The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, FECA, says it has lost endangered trees and animal species with an economic value of over N150 million to the activities of land grabbers over the years.
Prof. Akinyemi Fadiyimu, the provost of FECA, revealed this information at a press conference on Thursday in Akure.
Fadiyimu said, the college’s perimeter fence was destroyed by bulldozers, resulting in the destruction of other economic trees, the college team plantation, and a preserved gene bank of endangered plant and animal species.
He claimed that it was now clear that the offenders had complete contempt for the law.
The provost warned that if the ongoing trespassing on the school’s land—which was reduced to just N250 acres from its allotted 1,100 acres—did not stop, it would seriously jeopardize the college’s existence.
Fadiyimu claimed that land grabbers’ actions could seriously jeopardize the college’s existence or some of the courses that are currently being offered or are being considered for the future.
“The recurring damage of government properties and threat to lives of staff and students is also getting the college community agitated.
“Farms and plantations being for practical trainings and students’ final year projects are continuously being damaged and increasingly becoming inaccessible for staff and students.
“During one of the incursions on Saturday, a student was harassed and almost lynched by the hoodlums.
” If something untoward should happen to any of our staff or students, the college management may not be able to control whatever action the students’ body may decide to embark upon in retaliation.’’
Fadiyimu used the occasion to call on everyone in the state to condemn the activities of land grabbers by together tagging them ‘enemies of progress.’
The provost also called on the security agencies in the state to operate on the side of justice and the rule of law by not aiding and abetting the law breakers.
“The public should beware not to patronise or deal with these unscrupulous elements to transfer the college land in contention until all the pending cases are resolved,” he said.
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