By Okhide Em’ya David
Edo state Government says it has recovered over nine hundred and seventy-nine logs of various timber species stolen by Illegal Loggers at the the Riverine Areas of Nikorowa and Gelegele Communities, Ovia South West Area of the state.
This is just as some notorious illegal Loggers were during the week apprehended at the Okomu High Conservation Value Area (HCV), with over thirty five highly endangered specie of timber craftily loaded in three Local Trucks popularly called ‘Agbegi.’
The three Suspects arrested with the highly endangered specie of timber are said to be cooling their heels at the police detention cells ..
Commenting on the recovered timber species, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Lucky Wasa told newsmen in Benin that a crack detachment of officials of the the Ministry’s Log Control department, Concerned Ijaw Indigenes from the Creeks of Nikiorowa, Okomu Ijaw, Gelegele and Security operatives stormed the riverine Areas along the Stretch between Gelegele and Nikorowa to discover the theft and led to recovery of the stolen Logs..
Wasa gave a stern warning to illegal Loggers saying that the Ministry will not condone any act capable of undermining Edo State Government’s strategies towards its forest protection and preservation .
It would be recalled that the illegal Loggers at the Okomu High Conservative Value Area have over the years become notorious for their brigandage and attack on the facility thereby depleting the conservation plants and posing grave threats to the conservation security personnel, who are often attacked and humanity at large.
But during the week, luck however ran out for three suspects who were caught with three “Agbegi” Lorries and apprehended as they were unable to evacuate their loot from the forest before they were sighted.
Spokesman for Okomu Palm Oil PLC. Mr Fidelis Olise described activities of the illegal Loggers as devastating to good intention of government and the firm in their efforts to mitigate the harsh effects of climate change through forestation, reforestation and direct investment in green vegetation, adding that they will not however relent in curbing the nefarious activities of the hoodlums..
