Youths and concerned indigenes of Ijiraga community in Ukelle, Yala Local Government Area this morning intercepted and stopped a convoy of about 17 trucks conveying illegally logged woods from forests in Cross River State and heading towards Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
A source abreast of the matter told this reporter that after the news made the rounds that some members of the Special Task Force on Anti-Deforestation had collected bribes to allow two trucks to pass through the Obudu axis, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar, the Chief of Staff to Governor Bassey Otu swung into action and set up a mini intelligence for surveillance and supervisory functions for the task force.
“The interception happened at about 4:20 AM after they had passed through every other checkpoint before the Destiny checkpoint in Ijiraga. One fellow named Saty Jacob, a native of Kogi State kept shouting, “Who is the Chief of Staff to mobilize boys to stop his business?,†a source in Government House told CrossRiverWatch on condition of anonymity.
CrossRiverWatch gathered that the drivers, when stopped, allegedly mentioned that they had settled the Secretary of the Special Task Force on Anti-Deforestation, Mr. Pius Abang.
After they were arrested, a group of thugs allegedly mobilized from another community by a logging group called the G7 attacked the surveillance team.
“They successfully moved about 10 trucks. But, the Army stationed at the last checkpoint before Ebonyi State successfully halted them and the drivers including Saty ran into the bush when they sensed that the Army had been informed and will not play ball,†another source said.
CrossRiverWatch obtained two amateur videos. One shows when the trucks were initially stopped and the second shows when the trucks were moved after the G7 thugs attacked the surveillance team.
As of press time, the trucks have been moved back to Ijiraga awaiting further directives to be given by the appropriate authorities.