By Prince J Musa in Kenema
Police in Kenema are investigating an illegal mining activity in the Kamboi Forest, a national protected area.
Four men are under detention after police say they were caught allegedly mining gold in the forest. The suspects, identified as Shaika Sow from Daru, Allieu Mohamed from Samai Town, Hassan Lavalie and Joseph Musa from Kondebotihun, were arrested with a Le500, 000 receipt, which they claimed to have been issued by the Paramount Chief of Nongowa Cheifdom, Mohamed Sadique Kapuwa. They said the chief gave them permission to mine in the forest.
Chief Kapuwa however denied the claim when contacted by Politico. He said he has never issued anyone permit to do any mining activity in the forest.
"Under my regime as a Paramount Chief, I have not issued out any license neither permit for mining in the Kamboi Forest. I know the law and can't be violator of government law,” he said.
"Anybody using my authority as a chief to do illegal activities, I am not part of it and will not support it," Kapuwa stressed.
Kamboi Forest, one of the few landmark forests in Sierra Leone, is uniquely richly endowed with minerals, including diamond, gold and iron ore.
Regional Crime Officer attached to the CID in Kenema, Spt. Michael Kopome Lagga, told journalists that they had been gathering intelligence on illegal mining activities in the forest for a while before the arrest.
“This mining took place at the back of the forest in Kondebotihun Community. Recently EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] and SLP signed MoU for the protection of Kamboi Forest,” Spt. Lagga said, noting that theywere acting on the basis of that agreement.
"SLP will give its full support to EPA in ensuring that the beauty of Kamboi Forest for Kenema is protected and [so that] we can sustain the environment" he added.
Lagga said the police is determined to crackdown on all forms of illegal activities in the forest. He said they will soon start to raid and arrest those logging trees in the forest for charcoal against government’s regulations.
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