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The National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) has arrested 11 individuals for alleged illegal deforestation and charcoal burning in the Western Area Peninsula National Park.
The arrests were carried out by an NPAA operations team led by Ranger One Ishaka Lamin Sesay, under the supervision of the newly appointed Executive Director, Alhaji Ahmed S. Tunis. The suspects were apprehended during a patrol operation within the protected area.
According to the Authority, the individuals are currently being detained at the Lumley Police Station as investigations continue. Several bags of charcoal were also confiscated at the site.
Speaking on the matter, D. L. Bangura, Esq., Law Enforcement and Compliance Manager at NPAA, said the Authority intends to press charges against the suspects once police investigations are concluded, noting that the case will be taken to court.
NPAA said the arrests are part of ongoing enforcement efforts to protect the remaining forest cover in the Western Area Peninsula National Park. The Authority warned that illegal logging and unsustainable charcoal production remain major contributors to deforestation, with serious environmental and social consequences, particularly for water catchment areas.
Investigations are ongoing, and NPAA has called on members of the public to report suspected illegal activities in protected areas to help safeguard the country’s natural resources.
