FCTA hands over official to police for ‘illegal felling of trees’

The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has handed over an official of parks and recreation department to the police.

The official was handed over for allegedly felling trees illegally within the capital city.

Speaking with NAN on Wednesday, Felix Obuah, coordinator of the council, said the official identified as Abubakar, was caught in the act on Sunday.

“We were going round to see exactly what was happening in the city when we caught Abubakar who incidentally happens to be one of our staff at Parks and Recreation Department,” he said.

“He was caught cutting down trees that beautify the city and are important for mitigating the impact of climate change, among other valuable functions.”

He said Abubakar had cut down many trees planted years ago.

“We have handed him over to the police for prosecution,” he said.

“This will serve as a deterrent to all the people who would want to sabotage the efforts of the FCT minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, and President Bola Tinubu in giving Nigerians a befitting capital city.

“We will maintain the beauty of the city.”

In 2023, the Taraba government convicted 46 persons for illegal mining and violation of environmental laws in the state.

Jeremiah Faransa, chairman of the task force on implementing the ban on illegal mining and deforestation, said the culprits were culpable for illegal felling and processing of trees from different parts of the state.

He said 39 people were convicted for the illegal cutting of trees and seven others for illegal mining, adding that the conviction was carried out by a mobile court.