Africa-Press – Tanzania. POLICE Force in Geita Region has arrested 50 individuals suspected of storming the Lwamugasa Forest Reserve Office in Lwamugasa Village, Geita District, and attacking four Tanzania Forestry Services (TFS) officers.
The suspects are also accused of vandalising office property, including setting fire to a motorcycle, burning 50,000 tree seedlings prepared for planting and destroying 236,643 already planted trees.
Acting Regional Police Commander for Geita, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Adam Maro said that the incident occurred on August 13th, this year, at around 1:00 pm inside the forest reserve.
ACP Maro explained that the group, armed with traditional weapons such as machetes, clubs and stones, forcefully entered the conservation office and assaulted the TFS officers.
The officers sustained injuries on various parts of their bodies as the attackers demanded that the forest areas be cleared for farming. The suspects are also charged with obstructing government officials from performing their lawful duties.
ACP Maro stated that investigations and interrogations of the suspects are ongoing. Once complete, the suspects will be brought before the court to face legal proceedings.
“We will not hesitate to take strict legal action against those who interfere with government projects. The public is reminded to use proper channels to present their grievances,” ACP Maro affirmed.
For More News And Analysis About Tanzania Follow Africa-Press
