Sokoto gov orders arrest of suspects over burning of shelter belts

Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu, has directed security agencies in Wurno Local Government Area to arrest those responsible for setting ablaze shelter belts established to curb desertification in the area.

Aliyu gave the directive on Thursday in Wurno.

The governor described the destruction of the shelter belts as environmentally harmful and unacceptable, noting that the structures were planted to protect communities from desert encroachment.

“I wonder how somebody would set ablaze shelter belts planted to safeguard our environment against desert encroachment, despite repeated campaigns against indiscriminate felling of trees,” he said.

He warned that anyone found guilty of destroying or unlawfully cutting down trees would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, stressing that those behind the incident must be identified and punished to deter similar acts.

Aliyu said the state government invests substantial resources annually in the procurement and nurturing of tree seedlings, which are distributed to communities vulnerable to desertification.

He also directed chairmen of affected local government areas to intensify monitoring and ensure the protection of shelter belts within their jurisdictions.

Sokoto gov orders arrest of suspects over burning of shelter belts