The Yobe State Police Command has arrested 26 suspects over alleged criminal conspiracy and massive illegal tree felling, said to be aiding desertification in Tarmuwa Local Council of Yobe State.

The offences were reportedly committed in bushy areas of Garaji village in the council.
Credible local authority sources said the suspects, all male residents of Damaturu Local Council, were apprehended after allegedly cutting down a large number of trees without the knowledge or approval of Tarmuwa authorities.

The source described the acts as deliberate and in violation of Yobe State laws banning tree felling to curb desertification, which has already affected 11 communities, including Geidam, Machina, Bursari, Fune, Yunusari and Tarmuwa.

Besides the arrests, the source said: “The police, acting on a complaint of Habu Mandadawa, who also serves as the Supervisor of the Tarmuwa Local Government Agricultural Department, visited the scene alongside members of the local vigilante group.

“During the operation in the bush, the team of officers recovered large heaps of firewood from the suspects at the scene.”
The command said the illegal activities pose a significant environmental threat, contributing to land degradation and desert encroachment across 11 councils in the state.

Police said investigation is ongoing, adding that further developments would be communicated to the public before the suspects are charged to court.

The command urged residents and community leaders to report environmental crimes and land degradation to relevant authorities, stressing that punitive measures are necessary to protect natural resources, halt desertification and curb other forms of environmental damage.