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Security: 646 Arrests Made Across National Parks – Conservator General
Security: 646 Arrests Made Across National Parks – Conservator General
By: Michael Mike
As the Federal Government continues to take step to keep the national parks safe and free of criminals, the National Park Service during the year 2023 has made 646 arrests across the country.
Addressing the media at the weekend on successes made in 2023, the Conservator General of the National Park Service, Dr. Ibrahim Goni gave the break down of the arrest to include 44 hunters, 222 grazers, 131 loggers, and 249 others, noting that these arrests were made in all the national parks, with Gashaka-Gumti recording the highest number.
He said in relation to banditry incidents, 37 suspects were apprehended in connection with mining/banditry in Old Oyo National Park, while Kainji Lake National Park arrested three suspected bandits and neutralized five others.
Goni added that four victims were rescued during these operations conducted within the year, and various items such as motorcycles, phones, and machetes were recovered.
He also revealed that a total of 646 cases were prosecuted in the National Parks during the year, with breakdown of the prosecution cases showing 161 convictions, 215 fines, 119 warnings and discharges, and 151 cases pending. Cross River and Gashaka-Gumti National Parks recorded the highest number of convictions.
The Conservator General also disclosed that total revenue generated for the Service from January to date stands at N83.2 million, noting that the revenue was derived from various sources, including ecotourism, compoundment, compensation, and others.
He said all revenue has been remitted to the Federal Government’s coffers
Goni said within the year, the National Park Service signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with different organisations, with the MoUs aim to support and strengthen the capacities of the National Park Service in addressing conservation challenges, disclosing that some of the organisations MOUs were signed with include the Safe Nature and Humanity Club, Sayari Dunia Sustainable Tourism Foundation, West African Conservation Network, and Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Co. Ltd.
He noted that the signed MoUs have had a significant impact on park protection, capacity building, and support zone development.
He said within the year, the National Park Service collaborates with relevant stakeholders to combat wildlife trafficking in Nigeria, revealing that: “Seizures have been made, and efforts have been made to release live animals back into the wild. The Nigerian Customs Service recently confiscated 81 parrots among other bird species, galagos (bush babies) which were handed over to the National Park Service for rehabilitation and reintroduction to the wild. Additionally, the National Park Service has developed a policy document on combating wildlife and forest crime in Nigeria in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime.”
Security: 646 Arrests Made Across National Parks – Conservator General
21 villagers abducted in kano communities as Security forces intensify search operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Twenty-one persons have been abducted by suspected bandits in three villages of Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the coordinated attacks occurred in Sundu, Biresawa and Masaurari villages.
According to community members, two women were taken from Sundu, while five women and two children were abducted at Biresawa.
In Masaurari, nine men and one woman were reportedly seized, bringing the total number of abducted persons to 21 comprising nine men, eight women and two children.
The Police Command in Kano confirmed the attack noting that efforts had been intensified to rescue all victims unhurt.
The sources added that additional operatives had been deployed to the affected axis, while the area was being combed in collaboration with local vigilance groups and other security agencies.
The command assured residents of its commitment to restoring peace and urged the public to provide credible information that could aid ongoing operations.
21 villagers abducted in kano communities as Security forces intensify search operation
Ammunition falls from moving vehicle near ABU Zaria, eyewitnesses suspect supplies for bandits
By: Zagazola Makama
Passersby and students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria were startled on Tuesday when several rounds of ammunition reportedly fell from a moving passenger bus along the Zaria–Katsina highway.
Zagazola Makama understand that the incident occurred directly in front of ABU Zaria’s main gate, causing brief panic among pedestrians and motorists.
One of the witnesses, who simply identified himself as Musa, said the ammunition fell from a commercial vehicle heading towards Katsina.
“We suddenly saw the bullets drop from the bus as it sped past the gate. Before people could understand what happened, the vehicle had already disappeared,” he said.
He added that some bystanders quickly gathered the ammunition and alerted security operatives stationed around the area.
Another eyewitness, a student who preferred not to be named, described the incident as “strange and frightening,” noting that many feared the ammunition could be linked to supplies to armed groups operating in parts of Kaduna and Katsina States.
Security personnel later arrived at the scene and recovered the ammunition.
Ammunition falls from moving vehicle near ABU Zaria, eyewitnesses suspect supplies for bandits
Security forces arrest “Gwandara” notorious kidnap kingpin, logistics supplier in Bwari Abuja
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces have arrested a notorious kidnapper and major logistics supplier to bandits identified as Y’au Ibrahim Dauda, popularly known as “Gwandara 01”.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the suspect was apprehended by the Scorpion Squad at about 5:40 p.m. on Thursday in Bwari following actionable intelligence.
According to sources , Dauda has been on the wanted list of security agencies for his alleged role in several coordinated kidnapping operations within the FCT, particularly across the Bwari axis, from 2024 to date.
Investigations further linked him to multiple abductions around the Garam area of Tafa LGA in Niger State and Bwari, including the kidnapping of a pastor in 2024 at the El-Rufai Estate, near the Nigerian Law School, Bwari.
The sources said that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang and recover their weapons.
Security forces arrest “Gwandara” notorious kidnap kingpin, logistics supplier in Bwari Abuja
21 villagers abducted in kano communities as Security forces intensify search operation
Ammunition falls from moving vehicle near ABU Zaria, eyewitnesses suspect supplies for bandits
Security forces arrest “Gwandara” notorious kidnap kingpin, logistics supplier in Bwari Abuja
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