A former manager at Obasuyi Sawmill Nigeria Limited, Mr. Andrew Eseosa Uhunmwangho, is on the run after being declared wanted by the authorities for alleged involvement in illegal logging activities. The incident, which has since led to the indefinite closure of the sawmill, has raised serious concerns over regulatory oversight and workers’ vulnerability in the country’s timber industry.
Born on March 14, 1983, Mr. Uhunmwangho served as a manager at the wood processing company located in Benin City. His responsibilities included supervising timber harvesting and transportation.
According to a detailed account provided by the fleeing suspect, Mrs … Uhunmwangho, trouble began when he carried out operations under an expired logging permit, which, Mrs Uhunmwangho said was unknown to her husband, and his employer failed to disclose.
The incident occurred on August 1, 2024, when Mr. Uhunmwangho led a team of workers to harvest timber from a designated forest area, following directives from his employer. On their return, the team was intercepted by the state’s task force on illegal logging. While Mr. Uhunmwangho managed to flee the scene, his team members were arrested and taken into custody for interrogation.
Following the operation, law enforcement officials declared Mr. Uhunmwangho wanted, publishing his photograph and name in local dailies. His employer reportedly went into hiding, leaving him as the principal suspect in the illegal activity. Despite claiming ignorance of the expired permit, Mr. Uhunmwangho was held liable for the company’s actions.
In Nigeria, illegal logging is a criminal offense with harsh penalties, including lengthy prison terms and, in some jurisdictions, even capital punishment. Fearing persecution and unjust imprisonment, Mrs Uhunmwangho says her husband fled to save his life.
“The company’s closure left him without legal protection or any means to defend himself. With his employer in hiding, all fingers pointed to him,” she said.
His sudden disappearance has left his wife and three children in a precarious situation. She expressed deep concern over their wellbeing, noting she has had limited communication with him for fear of revealing his location.
The case highlights growing concerns about the treatment of workers in high-risk industries and the need for transparent licensing practices. As the authorities continue their search for Mr. Uhunmwangho, questions remain about the accountability of employers and the protection of innocent employees caught in regulatory failures.
Efforts to reach Obasuyi Sawmill Nigeria Limited for comment have been unsuccessful, as the company remains shut down since the incident.
