The Oyo State Environmental Task Force has arrested no fewer than 4,000 environmental offenders, while five have been convicted by the Environmental Protection Tribunal.

The tribunal’s chairman, Jubreel Kareem, made this known to journalists during monitoring in Ibadan on Wednesday, saying that they were convicted for violating the state environmental laws.

Mr Kareem said two offenders, Olanrewaju Deola and Funmilayo Ayoola, were found disposing of wastes illegally at unauthorised places.

He said they also failed to provide a standard refuse drum contrary to Oyo State Environmental Laws, 2013.

According to him, they admitted to have committed the offences and were convicted to three months’ imprisonment or an option of fines of N5,000, N2,500, and N2,500 each.

He said, “Another offender, Olabisi Olatunde, who was caught at Preboyes, along UI-Bodija, dumping refuse on the median, pleaded guilty, and the tribunal, thereafter, fined her N7,500.”

Mr Kareem said in the same vein, John Blessing and Ali Sumaiya were caught illegally displaying goods by the roadside at Mokola.

He said the tribunal ruled that it was against section 2 sub-section 14 of the Oyo State Waste Management Law of 2014 and thereafter fined them N2,500 each.

DCP Francis Ojomo, the chairman, Oyo State Environmental Task Force, said that no fewer than 4,000 environmental offenders had been arrested.

Mr Ojomo, who spoke during the trial of some environmental offenders in Ibadan, said some were committed to community service after trial, while others paid fines.

He said in the period under review, various offenders had paid over N30 million into the state government’s coffers.

Mr Ojomo, also the Waste Enforcement Officer, urged the public to obey the environmental laws to sustain healthiness and good neighbourliness in society.

(NAN)