A suspected Indian hemp dealer based in Akure, Sunday Gowon has been arrested by men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) of the Nigeria Police Force.
Gowon who has been accused of destroying vegetation in the Akure/Ofosu forest was arrested on Sunday following a tip off by members of the Timber Contractors Association at the forest reserve, Akure.
His arrest was confirmed to journalists by a source in Akure, who said the suspect who was also accused of recruiting young people into the Indian hemp business, while felling economic trees to sabotage the effort of the state government has confessed to the crimes in a written statement with the police.
"The suspect (Gowon) was arrested by the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) from Lagos after a trap was set for him and his group of boys.
"The culprit is also one of the notorious criminals destroying farmland and vegetation at the Akure/Ofosu Forest Reserve in Ondo state.
"He has been questioned by the police and he is being transferred to Lagos for more investigation into his case" the source told journalists.
Before this, the police in Ondo state had also arrested one Adebo Ademola at Ogbese in Akure North Local Government for allegedly dealing in cannabis plantation.
Femi Joseph, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ondo State said he could not immediately confirm the arrest when contacted.
According to the PPRO, the Police is working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and other sister agencies to rid criminals sabotaging government effort out of the state.
