Officers of the NNS Victory of the Nigerian Navy in Calabar, Cross River State capital, have held nine suspected illegal loggers.
The suspects, all from Akwa Ibom State, were said to have been arrested at about 7.30 a.m., on Friday, at Parrot Island in the state, while heading to Oron in Akwa Ibom State from Macauley Village in Cameroon.
Parading the suspects before newsmen at the NNS Victory jetty, Commanding Officer NNS Victory, Commodore Jeremiah Jatau, represented by Navy Captain Adekunle Okeniyi, said items recovered from the suspects included 400 logs (12 feet, 4 by 9), a 30 foot wooden boat with 240 horsepower outboard engine and one portable pumping machine.
He added: “When six of my men accosted them on the sea, they tried to run away, but after our men fired a warning shot into the air, they stopped and were arrested.”
He said the arrest would strengthen the Cross River State Government’s efforts to fight deforestation and preserve the environment.
“The navy would continue to ensure that the water is safe. We would continue to be present at sea and make sure we apprehend those who intend to sabotage the economy of the state. This would discourage people felling trees illegally in the state,” said Okeniyi.
He explained that after preliminary investigation, the suspects would be handed over to the police for prosecution.
Some of the suspects, who spoke with the Nigerian Compass, said they were not into illegal logging and were only directed to the timber from Cameroon by one Joseph Bob from Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
One of them identified as Emmanuel Peter, 21, said: “The man, Joseph Bob, called us to bring the boat filled with wood from Cameroon and we would be paid for it. We are not criminals. We were only doing it because we needed to get some money.”
Twenty-year-old Ita Okon Effiong said: “Somebody told me about this business and I was to go to Cameroon to get wood. We are not thieves! We don’t have anything to do with illegal felling of trees. We even settled the village, Macauley Village, where the trees were cut.”
By Nicholas Kalu, Calabar
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