5 truckloads of charcoal, timber intercepted in Bauchi
A special task force against deforestation in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi state has intercepted five trucks loaded with bags of charcoal and timber in the state.
The Daily Times gathered that the trucks were intercepted around Tabla and Jimi villages on Thursday, while the owners were arrested.
Presenting the trucks and the arrested suspects to the press in Ningi, the acting Caretaker Chairman of Ningi Local Government, Alhaji Saleh Nasaru, said that the arrest is as a result of the Local government intensifying efforts to end deforestation in the area.
The chairman who was represented by the scting Head of Administration of the local government, Alhaji Babayo Umar said the local government has already set up a special task force against deforestation.
According to him, the task force which comprises of security agencies, forestry officials and community leaders, is working day and night to ensure that all forests are protected against the activities of tree fellers.
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The chairman, who lamented the activities of tree fellers who usually come from Toro and Ganjuwa Local Government Areas, regretted that they have made Ningi Local Government Area their escape route.
He vowed to continue to arrest any vehicle loaded with forests products passing through the local government area.
Alhaji Kasko explained that the charcoal and timber intercepted will be auctioned to the public in order 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.
