A team comprising the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) has conducted security patrols at the National Protected Area, Kamboi Hills in Kenema. 20 Rangers, 10 Police Officers and 5 RSLAF personnel constituted the team.
The thrust is to ensure that NPAA is fully supported in carrying out its activities and to see that culprits that attempt to destroy the forest reserve are fully apprehended.
During the search, the team discovered that there were illicit mining activities, charcoal burning and timber logging going on at the Protected Area and that same was rapidly destroying the forest.
The Security Personnel were able to therefore effect arrests at the various crime scenes. Suspects of the measured activities are now with the SLP Kenema Division, helping with investigations.
Such operations will continue to be carried out at the Kamboi Hills and other forest reserves across the country.
It could be recalled that the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) had earlier encouraged perpetrators of such unwelcomed acts to desist forthwith, citing the numerous consequences that’d befall defaulters as such activities are a menace to the provision of clean water supply in all operational areas.