By Salihu Inusa, Maiduguri
The Chairman of Hawul local government area in Borno state, Hon. Yusuf Mamman Mshelizah has reiterated that the ban on illegal felling of trees and Gold mining is still in place as anyone found wanting will face the full wrath of the law.
The Chairman spoke in an interview with our Correspondent over the arrest and detention of a suspected tree feller/Timber Madrid vendor, Mr. Markus Shawulu by the Police.
Markus, is a younger brother to the North East Chairman of Hunters Association (Sarkin Baka) Yohanna Shawulu who have since parted ways with the Council Chairman Hon. Mshelizah.
The Chairman, Mshelizah said, since assuming office in January this year, his administration aligned with the Laws of the Borno State Government as amended on the consequences of tree felling, gold mining and other related activities across the 12 Wards.
Hon. Mshelizah emphasised that the ban on these illegal activities have not been lifted, as anyone found violating such order will have him/her self to blame.
He regretted that such activities which remained unchecked in the past have led to the increase in the insecurity situation, particularly around the affected communities of Dzur, Kurhi among other communities.
He said, the present administration under his leadership will not fold its arms in addressing the menace associated with, deforestation, desertification, land degradation and illegal tapping of natural resources by individual or group, which he said, have posed significant threats to environmental sustainability, public safety, and the overall well being of residents.
On the arrest of a suspected tree feller, Markus by the Police, the Chairman said, “Let the law take its course on anyone found wanting, because, the ban on tree felling and other illegal mining activities have not been lifted.
“The ban is a proactive measure aimed at protecting lives and property, preventing environmental degradation, and ensuring lasting peace and stability within all our communities across Hawul Local Government Area”. Mshelizah stated.
Meanwhile, the suspect, Markus Shawulu while reacting in a telephone call to our Correspondent on Tuesday confirmed that he was arrested and will be charged to Court.
He regretted that the Timbers he posted before his arrest were cut down by himself in 2022, prior to when Mshelizah became the Chairman of the Council.
Shawulu claimed that there was no such law in place or ban on tree felling when he cut the trees and turned them into Timber Madrid.
“It’s very unfortunate that the Divisional Police Officer in Hawul connived with our Chairman to arrest me when engaging in my lawful business. I cut the trees for timber Madrid since 2022 and kept them, now that I decided to pack them and sell them out due to economic demands of my family, I was arrested and detained but will soon be charged to Court”, he lamented.
However, the National Forestry Association, Borno State Chapter, Hawul, under the leadership of Alhaji Yakubu Forest, has raised serious concerns over the increasing rate of deforestation in Hawul Local Government Area, allegedly involving individuals engaged in the indiscriminate cutting down of trees for commercial purposes.
The association in on Tuesday expressed concern over what appears to be an attempt by certain individuals to politicise environmental protection efforts and undermine the efforts of the Chairman of Hawul Local Government Area to enforce environmental regulations.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the widely circulated narrative that the council has imposed a total ban on the use of firewood for domestic cooking is FALSE. Rather, existing regulations are intended to safeguard forest resources, regulate tree cutting, and prevent large-scale deforestation”, Forest said.
The major concern he noted is the alleged commercial exploitation of large trees, locally known as “MADRID,” reportedly being cut down for export, thereby exposing local communities to serious environmental consequences, including flooding, windstorms, soil erosion, and other effects of climate change.
“Hawul cannot afford to treat deforestation as a minor local inconvenience. Trees regulate temperatures, protect the soil, support the ecosystem, reduce erosion, and sustain livelihoods. When forests are destroyed on a large scale, the consequences affect farms, homes, health, water sources, and the overall well-being of communities.
“A particularly serious concern involves an individual identified as MARKUS SHAWULU, who has been accused of engaging in large scale tree cutting for commercial and industrial purposes rather than ordinary domestic firewood collection.
“This is not simply a matter of household fuel consumption. Commercial exploitation of forest resources must be properly regulated, subject to applicable permits, environmental considerations, and sustainable forestry practices.
“Equally concerning are allegations that political pressure is being used to portray the council’s environmental enforcement efforts as an attempt to deprive ordinary residents of their right to access firewood.
“This is a misleading narrative that must be addressed. Protecting our forests does not mean punishing households that depend on firewood for domestic cooking. Rather, it means distinguishing between reasonable domestic consumption and large scale commercial exploitation of shared natural resources.
“A responsible local government cannot abandon environmental protection because of political pressure or individual interests. The protection of our forests is a collective responsibility that must be taken seriously”. Forest explained.
The association call on all well meaning sons and daughters of Hawul to join hands in protecting forests and safeguarding the future of communities.
“We urge residents, traditional institutions, community leaders, environmental stakeholders, and relevant government authorities to support sustainable forest management and discourage indiscriminate tree cutting”, they said.
