Crime
Insecurity: 11 National Parks Receive Patrol Vehicles from ACReSAL
Insecurity: 11 National Parks Receive Patrol Vehicles from ACReSAL
By: Michael Mike
Policing of the nation’s forest to ward off the threats of insurgents, banditry and other criminal activities receive a boost with the donation of Toyota Hilux Vehicles to 11 National Parks in Northern Nigeria.
The donation was made at the weekend by the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) to the National Park Service of Nigeria.
Speaking during the presentation of the 11 vehicles one to each of the 11 national parks in the North by the National Project Coordinator, Mr. Abdulhamid Umar to the Conservator-General of the NPC, Dr Ibrahim Goni, the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Lawal said the occasion marked another milestone in our collective efforts to protect and preserve Nigeria’s rich natural resources.
He said: “The handover of these vehicles to the National Park Service of Nigeria is a demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’scommitment to enhancing the capacity of our National Park Service in the task of providing transportation for the Park Ranger Guards, National Park Personnel, Tourists to the Parks, and Researchers.”
He noted that: “Indeed, the deployment of these vehicles will significantly improve the Service’s effectiveness in combating the dangerous trend of poaching and preservation of the wildlife. Improved patrol capacities and real-time monitoring will boost surveillance and rapid response to potential threats to our National Parks located in 11 states.
He added that: “The ACReSAL Project has made tremendous strides in building community resilience and increasing sustainable landscape management practices, aligning perfectly with our ministry’s vision for environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation.”
The Minister said: “Notable achievements of the Project include the development of 6 Strategic Watershed Management Plans, restoration total of 77,271 hectares of degraded landscapes, planted 1,698,694 trees across the 19 participating states of the north and FCT through shelterbelt, woodlot, agro-forestry, and other land restoration activities. Additionally, the project has improved conservation and park management in Yankari Game Reserve, Jos Wildlife Park, Gombe State Department of Forestry, and the National Park Service.
“Furthermore, the ACReSAL project under my leadership as the Chairman of the Federal Steering Committee has procured and distributed ICT equipment to various ministries, departments, and agencies at both federal and state levels, significantly improving operational efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, office buildings and conference halls of some MDAs are being renovated, providing a more conducive environment for implementing environmental policies, plans, and programs for sustainability of the Project.”
He added that: “A total of 1,003,000 people have benefited from the project since commencement in 2022, with 49% being female. The project has also promoted peace-building and conflict resolution efforts through the engagement of Search for Common Ground.”
On his part, National Project Coordinator for Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Mr Abdulhamid Umar said: “We are here to provide succour and direct support for biodiversity and revival of the ecosystem that speaks and take care of fauna and flora.
“We are here because of the standing rules of the national park in providing conservation of international repute.”
He noted that the vehicles would only for resumption of activities in the forest and around the national parks that were disturbed by insurgency and banditry, and subsequently revamp the land affected by deforestation.
The Conservator-General of the National Park Service (NPS), Dr Ibrahim Goni while commending ACReSAL for its gesture, promised that the vehicles would be deployed to good use, he equally assured that the ICT equipment earlier donated by ACReSAL would be used to deliver efficient services in the national parks.
He commended ACReSAL for their support to the Service, while appealing for more of such gestures to be made extended.
Insecurity: 11 National Parks Receive Patrol Vehicles from ACReSAL
Suspected terrorist arrested by Niger National Guard in Bangoula
By: Zagazola Makama
Elements of the Niger National Guard (GNN) stationed in Bangoula have arrested a suspected member of a terrorist armed group during a routine road check and identity verification operation.
According to sources, the suspect, identified as Soumaila Mahamadou Hamadou, 27, was intercepted on July 7, 2025, while attempting to travel without valid identification.
Hamadou, a native of M’banga and reportedly a dealer by profession, was found in possession of 2,250,000 FCFA and a mobile phone. He claimed he was visiting Niamey for the first time to recover payment from a business transaction involving 40 cans of 20-litre draining oil allegedly sold to an individual named Ousseini, and purchased from a man called Talla in Ballabe.
However, security personnel raised concerns over the credibility of his account, noting that commercial flows of draining oil typically move from Niamey to rural areas, not in reverse. This discrepancy prompted further investigation into the suspect’s activities.
Preliminary interrogation and forensic analysis of his phone revealed troubling information. Hamadou reportedly admitted to being affiliated with terrorist armed groups (GAT) since 2022 and operating under the pseudonym “Zoubeirou” within the sect.
He further confessed to being under the command of a certain AMIR Abdoulaye, who was recently linked to the attack on the Niger National Guard post in Bouloudjouga. Hamadou also claimed participation in a coordinated assault against the Nigerian Armed Forces in August 2024, involving approximately 300 motorcycles with two fighters each.
Security sources confirmed that Hamadou bears multiple gunshot wounds on his left forearm, shoulder, right chest, and left lower jaw, which he sustained during the aforementioned attack.
He is currently being held in custody at the Track Brigade, where investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of his activities and affiliations.
Suspected terrorist arrested by Niger National Guard in Bangoula
Crime
Police rescue 26 kidnapped victims in Niger during operations along Birnin-Gwari, Kagara, and Yauri axis
Police rescue 26 kidnapped victims in Niger during operations along Birnin-Gwari, Kagara, and Yauri axis
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police has rescued 26 kidnapped victims, mostly women and children, during a sustained rescue operation across Maikujeri, Kagara, and Yauri axis following a tip-off. Police sources at the Command confirmed the development to Zagazola Makama on Tuesday.
The sources said that the victims had been abducted earlier in Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna State and were being transported by their captors towards the New-Bussa axis between July 4 and 5.
“On July 5, police patrol teams attached to Kagara Division intercepted and rescued multiple victims being moved along Maikujeri–Kagara Road towards Babanna.
Those rescued include: Tani Ali and her three children, Hajara Muhammad, Zainab Salihu and her minor child, Asabe Luka, all females from Munya and Rafi LGAs of Niger State, Zuwaira Ahmed from Basha village in Sardauna LGA, Taraba State, and her two daughters.
The sources added that on the same day, at about 9:30 p.m., another rescue operation led to the interception of a Toyota vehicle driven by one Yusuf Abdullahi of Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State.
“Thirteen more kidnapped victims were rescued from the vehicle. The movement was being coordinated by one Salma Usman, who was meant to contact the receiver of the victims in Yauri, Kebbi State,” he said.
“The police recovered five mobile phones from the victims and took all rescued persons to Asamau Clinic for medical evaluation,”said the sources.
The police source confirmed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and reunite all the victims with their families.
End
Troops neutralise militia during clearance patrol in Plateau community
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 5, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), have neutralised a suspected militia member during a clearance operation in Hokk community, Mushere West District of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, which took place on July 3 at about 11:45 a.m., was part of a long-range patrol covering Tulus and Hokk communities along the Plateau–Nasarawa border.
The sources said that the troops came under attack from armed militias in Hokk but successfully repelled the assailants, killing one while others fled the scene.
As of the time of filing this report, troops have continued to dominate the general area with aggressive patrols to prevent further militia activity.
Troops neutralise militia during clearance patrol in Plateau community
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