Five trucks loaded with bags of charcoals and timber have been apprehended by a special taskforce against deforestation in Ningi local government area of Bauchi state.
Our correspondent reports that the trucks were intercepted around Tabla and Jimi villages and the owners were arrested on Thursday.
Presenting the trucks and the owners arrested to the press in Ningi, the Acting Caretaker Chairman of Ningi Local Government, Alhaji Saleh Kasko Nasaru said that the arrest came as the local government intensifies efforts to end deforestation in the area.
The Chairman who was represented by Acting Head of Administration of the local government, Alhaji Babayo Umar said the local government has already set up a Special Taskforce against deforestation.
According to him, the taskforce which comprises of security agencies, forestry officials and community leaders are working day and night to ensure that all forests are protected against the activities of tree fellers.
The Chairman who lamented the activities of tree fellers that usually come from Toro and Ganjuwa local government have made Ningi local government their escape route.
He vowed to continue to arrest any vehicle loaded with forests products passing through Ningi local government area.
Alhaji Saleh Kasko explained that the charcoals and timber intercepted will be auctioned to the public in a cheapest price to discourage tree felling business in the area, adding that the owners will be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.
He also pledged to implement Governor Bala Mohammad’s policy of environment and forest preservation in the local government by ensuring that all forests are protected against the activities of tree fellers.
