Park Rangers Intensify Fight Against Criminals, Arrest 20 illegal Loggers

Park Rangers Intensify Fight Against Criminals, Arrest 20 illegal Loggers

Efforts of the National Park Service to rid the Nigerian parks of criminal activities has recorded a huge gain, as the service rangers just neutralised some bandits and arrested 20 illegal loggers.

Dr. Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General of the National Park Service disclosed this while speaking at a press conference on Wednesday August 25.

Goni revealed that “On August 12 and 13, 2021 the Service Rangers in collaboration with security agencies and local vigilantes carried out a successful routine joint patrol at the Kainji Lake National Park where a lot of bandits were neutralized and several illegal loggers arrested.

The Rangers boss explained further that, “About twenty (20) number of illegal loggers who had different sizes of trucks, some articulated trucks, loaded with timber were arrested by the joint patrol team and the trespassers will eventually be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the land.”

“The collaborative efforts paying off and will effectively degrade the activities of bandits and other criminal elements within our Parks and the surrounding communities.

“These collaborations, which are a continuing exercise, would help to speedily restore peace and stability at our Parks, the host communities and Nigeria as a whole.

“It is worthy to note that this operation was successful because of the vital information shared to the Service and which is a crucial role every person in Nigeria should play. It is pivotal in decisively checking the activities of criminals.

“The Park, just like other forest reserves, has challenges such as illegal poaching, grazing, logging and fishing, and we have remained committed to attaining the desired status of a tourist destination for legal visitors.

“We will always evaluate, re-strategise and reinvigorate our ongoing operations to stem the tide of growing security threats around the Parks and adjoining communities.

“He expressed gratitude to the Army, Police, DSS, Civil Defence, the vigilante and indeed the people of Borgu Emirate for their support and cooperation.

He also call for continuous support from  host communities in the fight against illegal activities at Parks and their environs.

He added that, “The Management of the Park is fully aware of the security situation of the areas within our legal jurisdiction and as such, we are closing ranks with other relevant stakeholders to curb the daunting challenges associated with our operations.

He assured that the management of the Park will continue to strive very hard to keep the sanity and integrity of Parks through numerous strategies and modus operandi.

Dr Goni listed details of the suspects as including the following:

1, Name of suspect: Francis Joseph & Tanko Musa
Date of Arrest: 20th July,2021
Area of Arrest: Kaima
Truck Plate Number: FF 78 XB
2 Name of suspect: Manniru Abubakar & Segun Opalere
Date of Arrest: 20th July,2021
Area of Arrest: Wawa
Truck Plate Number: FGE 62 ZS
3, Name of suspect :Danladi Garba & Ibrahim Sadik
Date of Arrest: 24th July,2021
Area of Arrest: Kale
Truck Plate Number: SUL 230 SP
4, Name of suspect: Alhaji Musa Dorayi & Abdullahi Santana
Date of Arrest: 6th August,2021
Area of Arrest: Kishi
Truck Plate Number: GGE 677 SK
5, Name of suspect: Shola Awojobe & Aliyu Baura
Date of Arrest: 6th August,2021
Area of Arrest: Kishi
Truck Plate Number: JEG 935 SA
6, Name of suspect: Ibrahim Sadik Katsina & Babangida Jimeta
Date of Arrest: 6th August,2021
Area of Arrest: Kishi
Truck Plate Number: GGF 923 AA
7, Name of suspect: Yau Chairman & Mohammad Datti
Date of Arrest: 6th August,2021
Area of Arrest: Kishi
Truck Plate Number: MNA 43 ZY
8, Name of suspect: Alhaji Muktari Zaria & Musa Hassan
Date of Arrest: 11th August,2021
Area of Arrest: Kishi
Truck Plate Number: SU 792 ZAR
9, Name of suspect: Babangida Aliyu & Buhari Mohd
Date of Arrest: 19th August,2021
Area of Arrest: Kaima
Truck Plate Number: TO 523 KT
10, Name of suspect: Ayuba Mohammad & Adamu Gambo
Date of Arrest: 19th August,2021
Area of Arrest: Kaima
Truck Plate Number: SA 694 PKM

The nation’s premier National Park was established by the amalgamation of two former game reserves-Borgu and Zugurma with a total area of 5,340.82sq/kilomtres. It is a safe haven to some highly endangered species of wildlife and home to tourists.