The Yobe State Police Command has nabbed 26 suspects for criminal conspiracy, massive illegal tree-felling, and aiding desertification in Tarmuwa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The tree-felling and desertification aiding offences were allegedly committed in the bushy areas of Garaji village.

According to a credible source, the nabbed suspects are male residents of Damaturu LGA.

The source revealed on Wednesday in Damaturu that, “On 2nd February 2026, the arrested persons allegedly went into the bush and cut down a large number of trees without the knowledge or approvals of the local government authorities of Tarmuwa.”

The local authority source described the illegal acts as deliberate and in violation of the Yobe State Laws that prohibit the felling of trees to prevent desertification that has already engulfed 11 communities, including Geidam, Machina, Bursari, Fune, Yunusari and Tarmuwa.

Besides the arrests of suspects, the source added, “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 police noted that the illegal activities pose a significant environmental threat by contributing to what it described as land degradation and desert encroachment that has engulfed 11 LGAs in the state.

Meanwhile, an investigation is ongoing, with further developments to be communicated to the public before the suspects are prosecuted in a court of law.

The police therefore urged residents and community leaders to report any unlawful environmental degradation and land degradation to the constituted authorities, stating that punitive measures will protect natural resources and trees by halting the rapid spread of desertification and other environmental degradation.