Bala Mohammed, Bauchi State Governor has vowed to end the activities of bandits and wood loggers who terrorise the Yankari Game Reserves and Safari, a tourist attraction centre in the State.
Speaking at the launching of the 2023 Tree Planting Campaign at the Dungal Housing Estate, Bauchi, the governor said he would rather die than allow bandits to take over the reserve.
Bala explained that British investors were planning to take over the tourist centre and invest $18 million, hence, his resolution was never to allow the bandits to take over the place.
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“Today, we are happy, we’re being recognised by the international community. Bauchi has become the next investment destination. Our biodiversity, which is Yankari, has attracted British investors that came here, discussed with us seriously and are ready to take over Yankari to save our Fauna and Flora, to save our animals with an initial investment of $18 million of their own money and to bring security.
“We have been battling with bandits inside Yankari. I will never allow them to take over Yankari from me, under my time, no, no way! I will either die or they die. They will not be there. I am assuring you, the people of Bauchi.
“So, we will have to work, we don’t have to sleep because so many things are going on against us,” he stated.
The governor, also bemoaned the activities of tree fellers across the 20 local governments of the state, declaring war on the charcoal business and other loggers in the state. “Our commitment to survive as a people irrespective of climate change around us if we are doing things that are not good which is helping the enemy, the manifestation of drought, erosion, flooding, deforestation, hunger and so on are all attributed to climate change.
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WikkiTimes had in July reported that between last year and earlier this year, locals in Alkaleri LGA endured a series of wanton kidnappings and senseless killings by terrorists who hid around the forests in Yankari Games Reserve.
Similarly, the medium reported that bandits have been wreaking havoc in Kolmani where oil was discovered a few kilometres from the Yankari site, but the story did not go well with the state government.
But the governor acknowledged the presence of the bandit elements in the area, stressing that they would not take over the tourist centre.
