It was a fierce exchange of gunfire recently when a team from the Department of Forestry, Ministry of Environment, Osun State, supported by men of the Agro Ranger unit of the Nigeria Security and Civi
l Defence Corps, Osun Command, engaged poachers in a gun duel in Shasha Forest, Ile-Ife.
He further explained that several economic tree species were felled by the suspects, while over five timber lorry loads of the planks recovered and evacuated to a village called Araromi Oke Odo.A forest guard, who preferred to be identified only as Kola, recalled an experience he had around Araro, Sawe forest, Ilesa, when a poacher attempted to kill him with chainsaw for daring to ask him why he was felling trees inside government reserved forest.
Kola said the suspect was also apprehended and arraigned before a magistrates’ court. He, however, expressed disappointment that the suspect, through the court, secured order that his chainsaw be released to him. He said, “I could have been killed. He actually attempted to kill me but I used hand to wipe the blade of the chainsaw. I sustained serious injury. We were coming from a forest contiguous to Shasha towards Oyinre village. We were going through Ikire, when we met some men by the roadside packing woods. I approached them and asked why they would be doing that inside government forest. There was a public holiday that day. They threatened to kill us with their chainsaw.
He said, “On that day, I had a premonition of the attack but I ignored the signs. Some of our colleagues were of the opinion that the poachers normally use diabolical means to manipulate bees and use them to attack guards. We were many walking on the bush path inside the forest. I was leading the team. To avoid bee attack, we don’t use perfume or deodorant whenever we are going into the forest.
On how he was able to watch over the trees scattered across the forest reserves in the state, he said, “It’s a dial away from happenings around the trees, No matter the time or day, I will simply respond to any distress call made by villagers. In most of the communities where reserves are, we have people who feed us information. If I am called, I would be there in a jiffy.
“Some farmers will deliberately lay claim to trees located on a land they acquired for agricultural season. When you speak to them, they would boast that it belongs to them since the land has been acquired by them forgetting that they weren’t the first nor would they be the last to lease the land.’’He added, “Ordinarily, before any tree is cut one is supposed to inquire from the forestry authorities but they won’t do that. Instead, they would go behind to cut the trees.
He said the situation was caused by cutting of trees despite government’s efforts to sustain tree planting as there was no specific law regulating tree cutting. He stated, “Gombe State has hippopotamus especially in Yalmatu Deba, Kwami, and Nafada council areas. They roam across the river banks eating farmlands and the crops. Government has not done much to check their activities by putting them in one place like a sanctuary.”
He said, “Some trees were cut after obtaining permits and some others I can’t explain how they pull it through. You should know that not everyone can afford gas cylinder not to talk of filling it.’’
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