Ekiti State Government has warned against further encroachment on land acquired by the state for agricultural purposes.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Olabode Adetoyi gave the warning while leading a team of government officials from the Bureau of Land Services and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to erect cautionary notices on land acquired by the State at Ipao-Ekiti as well as Isan/Ayede axis and other areas categorized as agricultural zone across the State.

The Commissioner who spoke through the Director of Land Services, Mr. Akanni Bello explained that the exercise was instigated to put an end to incessant encroachment of unauthorized persons into government landed property across the State, particularly farmlands.

Stressing that the lands were acquired in public interest in the first instance, Adetoye said it is not only unfair but also a disservice to the entire people of the State if a few recalcitrant persons are allowed to continue encroaching on the lands at the detriment of all in the State.

He stated that employing an alternative service of notice on the lands is in accordance with section 44(e) of the land use Act Cap LL5 laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

Adetoye lamented that most of the Lands acquired by the State government for agricultural and other purposes are being encroached indiscriminately adding that the government decided to paste notices on all lands acquired for farming activities to inform all unauthorized occupants to vacate the lands or take proper channels for occupancy.

He said that anyone found encroaching into the Land after the exercise would be made to face the wrath of the Law, as the government would not hesitate to prosecute any illegal occupier on its lands.