Five trucks loaded with bags of charcoals and timber havebeen apprehended by a special taskforce against deforestation in Ningi localgovernment area of Bauchi state.
Our correspondent reports that the trucks were interceptedaround Tabla and Jimi villages and the owners were arrested on Thursday.
Presenting the trucks and the owners arrested to the pressin Ningi, the Acting Caretaker Chairman of Ningi Local Government, Alhaji SalehKasko Nasaru said that the arrest came as the local government intensifiesefforts 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 localgovernment has already set up a Special Taskforce against deforestation.According to him, the taskforce which comprises of securityagencies, forestry officials and community leaders are working day and night toensure that all forests are protected against the activities of tree fellers.
The Chairman who lamented the activities of tree fellersthat usually come from Toro and Ganjuwa local government have made Ningi localgovernment their escape route.
He vowed to continue to arrest any vehicle loaded withforests products passing through Ningi local government area.
Alhaji Saleh Kasko explained that the charcoals and timberintercepted will be auctioned to the public in a cheapest price to discouragetree felling business in the area, adding that the owners will be prosecuted toserve as deterrent to others.
He also pledged to implement Governor Bala Mohammad’s policyof environment and forest preservation in the local government by ensuring thatall forests are protected against the activities of tree fellers.
