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Nigeria’s War on Wildlife Trafficking Receives Equipment Boost From UNODC
Nigeria’s War on Wildlife Trafficking Receives Equipment Boost From UNODC
By: Michael Mike
United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) has given a boost to the ongoing war by the Nigerian government on wildlife trafficking in the country by donating wildlife monitoring and enforcement equipment to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
Director General of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro while receiving the equipment on Wednesday in Abuja noted that the sophisticated methods being adopted by traffickers, equally requires modern tools in tracking and arresting wildlife criminals.
He said the provision of Real time equipment by UNODC would greatly enhance wildlife monitoring, investigation, intelligence gathering, enforcement, evidence collection, data generation, data management and transmission.
Jauro assured that the country was taking all the necessary steps to rid the country of wildlife crimes, adding that the recent destruction of seized wildlife stockpiles was intended to discourage perpetrators of the crime and also send out the signal that the country would not tolerate any form of wildlife crime on its soil.
The DG also revealed that Nigeria had put in place the necessary checks at the border posts in the bid to frustrate the activities of those who seek to use the country as a transit hub for illegal shipment of controlled wildlife and their products.
The NESREA boss expressed appreciation to the UNODC while adding that the gadgets would be deployed to the Zonal and State Field Offices of the Agency, particularly those that have been identified as hotspots for traffickers.
The Programme Officer for the UNODC, Folusho Adeleke commended the efforts of the Nigerian government in reducing the rate of wildlife crime in Nigeria, stating that NESREA as the CITES enforcement authority would continue to receive the support it needs to achieve its mandate.
The equipment donated to the Agency include, GPS trackers, digital binoculars, digital video camera, laptops and desktops, weighing scales, walkie –talkies, foot wears, magnifying lens, digital camera binoculars, calipers, among others.
Nigeria’s War on Wildlife Trafficking Receives Equipment Boost From UNODC
Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
Five soldiers were killed and three others declared missing following a clash between Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (FDS) and suspected Islamic State fighters in Sanam, Tillabéri Region of western Niger.
Security sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 12, 2026, during a confrontation between troops and suspected members of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) operating in the area.
The clash reportedly took place in Sanam Zone, a locality near the Niger–Mali border known for recurrent armed attacks by jihadist groups.
According to the sources, the soldiers were engaged in an operation when they came under heavy attack, leading to a standoff. Five personnel were confirmed dead, while three others were declared missing after the encounter.
The Tillabéri Region has remained a hotspot of insurgent activities due to its proximity to Mali and Burkina Faso, with security forces frequently conducting operations to contain armed groups.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the latest incident, while search efforts are reportedly ongoing to locate the missing soldiers.
Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger
Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack
By: Zagazola Makama
A Combined Army and Police operatives have rescued 12 kidnapped victims following an armed attack by suspected kidnappers in Oke-Ako area of Ekiti State.
Sources disclosed that the incident occurred on Feb. 13 at about 9:00 a.m., when sporadic gunfire was heard near their base. Preliminary assessment indicated the gunshots were from an assault launched by suspected kidnappers in the area.
Army troops, in collaboration RRS,Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS), and local security outfits, swiftly mobilised to the scene. On sighting the security forces, the attackers engaged in a gun duel, but were overpowered and forced to retreat into the forest, taking two victims with them.
Through intensified operations, the security forces successfully rescued 12 victims unhurt, while one, identified as Jeremiah Gambo, sustained a gunshot injury and was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital in Ikole Local Government Area for treatment.
The troops also recovered an unregistered Boxer Bajaj motorcycle, a white Nissan Cabstar pick-up with registration number EJG-96XB, and a wine-coloured Toyota Corolla with registration number KLE-575AE, all belonging to the victims.
Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack
Forest guard arrested for allegedly killing son in Monguno, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
A member of the Forest Guard in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State has been arrested for allegedly shooting his son to death.
Sources said the incident occurred on Feb. 13 at about 5:40 p.m. at the RRR Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Monguno.
The case was reported to the Monguno Division at about 6:20 p.m. by Maidugu Mustapha of Gana Ali Ward, who alleged that Mohammed Ibrahim Angoli, 28, a Forest Guard member, fatally shot his 24-year-old son, Ajiya Mustapha, in the back with an AK-47 rifle.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Monguno led a patrol team to the scene, where photographs were taken and the victim was evacuated to General Hospital, Monguno.
A medical doctor on duty confirmed the victim dead on arrival. The corpse was subsequently deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy.
The suspect has been arrested and the firearm recovered as exhibit.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Maiduguri, has commenced investigation into the incident.
Forest guard arrested for allegedly killing son in Monguno, Borno
Five soldiers killed, three missing in clash with insurgents in Niger
Benue Police repel bandits attack in Ugba, one suspect arrested, one bandit killed
Army, police rescue 12 kidnapped victims in Ekiti border attack
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