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Security: 646 Arrests Made Across National Parks – Conservator General

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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

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Communal clash at illegal mining site leaves five injured in Zamfara

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Communal clash at illegal mining site leaves five injured in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

A violent clash between residents of Boko and Jaya villages in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara state has left at least five persons injured following a dispute at a stone mining site.

Sources said the incident occurred on April 20 at about 11:00 a.m. at the Kwanza Stone Mining Site, located between the two communities.

According to the sources, the clash began when members of both villages engaged in illegal mining activities at the site, leading to a disagreement that escalated into violence, with both sides allegedly using firearms.

The sources said the injured victims include Sha’aibu Adamu, 30; Shakiru Suleiman, 26; Kasu Boko, 27; Abdullahi Dahiru, 25; and Ibrahim Usman, 25, all from the affected communities.

They added that the exact number of persons killed could not be immediately confirmed at the time of filing the report.

A joint security team comprising troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA. police personnel and community protection guards was swiftly deployed to the area to restore order.

The injured victims were evacuated to the General Hospital in Kaura Namoda for medical treatment.

Security authorities said normalcy had since been restored in the area, while efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest those involved in the violence.

They also confirmed that investigation into the incident had commenced.

Communal clash at illegal mining site leaves five injured in Zamfara

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Security forces foil Kidnapping, flee after alarm in Gombe community

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Security forces foil Kidnapping, flee after alarm in Gombe community

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed men suspected to be kidnappers have attempted to abduct residents in Unguwan Yamma, Amada area of Akko Local Government Area of Gombe state.

Sources said the incident occurred at about 3:20 a.m. when the attackers stormed the residence of one Alhaji Muhammad Abba, who narrowly escaped the attack.

According to the sources, the assailants proceeded to a neighbouring house where they abducted a child after the mother raised alarm.

The sources said the kidnappers, however, abandoned the child and fled the scene following the commotion.

A divisional patrol team, alongside hunters and local vigilantes, was immediately mobilised to the area and is currently on the trail of the suspects.

Police authorities said investigation was ongoing, while efforts had been intensified to apprehend the fleeing attackers and prevent further incidents in the area.

Security forces foil Kidnapping, flee after alarm in Gombe community

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Troops engage armed bandits in heavy gun battle during raid on suspected hideout in Zamfara

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Troops engage armed bandits in heavy gun battle during raid on suspected hideout in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have reportedly engaged armed bandits in a heavy gun battle during a clearance operation at Yankuzo area in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara state.

Security sources said the operation followed aggressive fighting patrol on armed groups into the area, believed to be a stronghold used by suspected bandit elements operating within the axis.

According to the sources, troops advanced into deep into the terrorists enclave of Ado Allero in the early hours of the day and made contact with the armed men, leading to an exchange of fire that lasted for several minutes.

Residents reported heavy gunfire during the confrontation.

Although details of casualties were still being assessed at the time of filing this report, security sources confirmed that troops maintained dominance of the general area and continued pursuit of fleeing armed elements.

Troops engage armed bandits in heavy gun battle during raid on suspected hideout in Zamfara

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