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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
Troops clear terrorist enclaves, neutralise IEDs in Sambisa offensive
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have cleared several terrorist enclaves and neutralised multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs during an ongoing offensive into the Sambisa Forest axis of Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, conducted under Operation Desert Sanity V, involved troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade (SAB) and 26 Task Force Brigade, operating in conjunction with vigilante forces.
According to the source, the troops departed their Harbour Area at about 9:20 a.m. on Dec. 31, and conducted clearance operations along designated withdrawal routes within the Sambisa axis.
“The troops successfully cleared the terrorist enclaves of Garin Kago, Garin Alhaji Bita and Garin Malam Muazu during the operation,” the source said.
The areas were described as active terrorist locations; however, the insurgents reportedly fled before the arrival of the advancing troops.
“Despite the terrorists’ withdrawal, several life-support structures within the enclaves were identified and destroyed in line with operational guidelines,” the source added.
During the withdrawal phase, troops encountered three buried IEDs, which were promptly detonated in situ by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team without incident.
The troops later returned safely to Brigade Headquarters at about 4:45 p.m., while casualties recorded during the operation were immediately evacuated to the 7 Division Medical Hospital for further medical attention.
The operation forms part of sustained efforts by Operation Hadin Kai to degrade terrorist networks, dismantle logistics bases and deny insurgents freedom of movement within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas.
Troops clear terrorist enclaves, neutralise IEDs in Sambisa offensive
Army troops recover more arms, neutralise IEDs in sambisa forest offensive
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recovered more arms and ammunition and detonated several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during the ongoing Operation Desert Sanity V offensive in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno.
Zagazola report that the operation was carried out at about 9:00 a.m. on Dec. 29 by troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade, in conjunction with volunteer forces.
According to the sources, the troops advanced from their harbour area and cleared several deserted terrorist enclaves around the Dure axis before proceeding to Century Wolf area, south of Dure.
The sources stated that the general area was characterised by thick vegetation, adding that no significant items of interest were found during the initial phase of the operation.
The sources said the troops later advanced to the Sabil Huda enclave, which was assessed to be highly active but had been abandoned by the terrorists before the arrival of troops.
The sources added that Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams commenced scanning of the enclave to enable exploitation by troops.
During the exploitation, the report said the troops recovered three AK-47 rifles, four AK-47 magazines, 37 rounds of 7.62x54mm ammunition, 38 rounds of 7.62x51mm ammunition, 33 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition and two hand grenades.
The sources said that life-support structures within the enclave were destroyed, while four additional IEDs discovered in the area were safely detonated.
Army troops recover more arms, neutralise IEDs in sambisa forest offensive
Troops recover drone after clash with ISWAP in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recovered a drone after engaging suspected ISWAP terrorists during a fighting patrol in Izge area of Borno.
Zagazola learnt thar the encounter occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 30 in the Pridang general area.
The sources stated that troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Izge, were on a patrol in conjunction with volunteer forces when they came in contact with an unconfirmed number of terrorists on a surveillance mission.
According to the sources, the terrorists were suspected to be planning to deploy an ultra-light drone to monitor the activities of troops and local residents in the area.
The sources said the troops engaged the terrorists with overwhelming firepower, forcing them to abandon the drone and flee in disarray, possibly with gunshot wounds.
The sources added that the troops conducted exploitation of the area and recovered one drone along with its complete accessories.
End
Troops clear terrorist enclaves, neutralise IEDs in Sambisa offensive
Troops neutralise two terrorists, recover arms in Sambisa Forest
Troops neutralise terrorist in ambush operation in Borno
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