The Yobe State Police Command has arrested 26 suspects over alleged criminal conspiracy and illegal tree felling in Tarmuwa Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects were accused of engaging in the unauthorised cutting of trees in bushy areas of Garaji village, an activity said to be contributing to desertification in the area.
Confirming the arrests, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, told PUNCH Metro on Wednesday evening that the suspects were apprehended following a complaint from local authorities.
Abdulkarim said the arrests were made on February 2, 2026, after the suspects allegedly invaded the forest and felled a large number of trees without approval from the relevant local government officials.
“The suspects, all male residents of Damaturu Local Government Area, were arrested for unlawfully cutting down trees in violation of Yobe State laws prohibiting deforestation,” he said.
A local government source disclosed that the complaint was lodged by Habu Mandadawa, the Supervisor of the Tarmuwa Local Government Agricultural Department, which prompted police action.
The source added that police operatives, accompanied by members of a local vigilante group, visited the scene and recovered large heaps of firewood allegedly cut by the suspects.
The police noted that the illegal activities pose a serious environmental threat, as desertification has already affected at least 11 local government areas in the state, including Geidam, Machina, Bursari, Fune, Yunusari and Tarmuwa.
Abdulkarim said investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the probe.
The command urged residents and community leaders to promptly report acts of environmental degradation, stressing that strict enforcement of environmental laws was necessary to protect forest resources and curb the rapid spread of desert encroachment across the state.
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