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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
Suspected cultists kill 12 in attack on Jos community, Plateau govt imposes curfew
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected cultists on Sunday night attacked Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, leaving 12 persons dead, in a fresh outbreak of violence that has prompted authorities to impose a 48-hour curfew in the area.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 8:00 p.m. when residents of the community came under sporadic gunfire from unidentified armed men, suspected to be cultists, who stormed the area and shot indiscriminately.
Troops of Sector 1, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), were immediately mobilised to the scene following a distress call and moved to restore order and prevent further escalation.
A security report indicated that 12 persons were confirmed dead, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. The injured victims were said to have been evacuated to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
The troops subsequently cordoned off major access routes to the community and ordered residents to remain indoors while a coordinated search operation was launched to track down the attackers.
Military sources added that clearance operations were ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent further breakdown of law and order in the area.
In response to the attack, the Plateau State Government, in collaboration with security agencies, announced the imposition of a 48-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government Area with immediate effect.
The curfew, which took effect from midnight of March 29 to April 1, 2026, was aimed at restoring calm and enabling security agencies to carry out intensified operations.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rt. Hon. Joyce Lohya Ramnap, the government condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric and unprovoked.”
The statement assured residents that security agencies had been directed to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, while urging the public to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations.
Security patrols were still ongoing across affected communities as authorities moved to forestall possible reprisal attacks and restore normalcy.
Suspected cultists kill 12 in attack on Jos community, Plateau govt imposes curfew
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Damboa LGA of Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected kidnapper in Azir community, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Malama that the suspect was apprehended at about 5:00 p.m. on March 28 by troops of 25 Brigade and 19 Battalion (Mechanised) deployed at a Forward Operating Base in Azir.
The source disclosed that the suspect was alleged to have been involved in kidnapping activities within the Damboa and Azir general areas.
“During preliminary investigation, the suspect claimed to be a cattle courier operating within Damboa and its environs,” the source said.
He added that one bicycle was recovered from the suspect at the point of arrest.
The suspect and the recovered item are currently in troops’ custody for further investigation and necessary action.
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Damboa LGA of Borno
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation MESA have arrested 58 suspected illegal miners at an illegal gold mining site in Ososo general area, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
A security source disclosed that the suspects were apprehended at about 1:00 p.m. on March 28 during a fighting patrol conducted by troops of 195 Battalion (Rear).
According to the source, the troops stormed the mining site and arrested the suspects without resistance.
“The suspects are currently in troops’ custody for further action,” the source said.
He noted that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining activities and other criminal enterprises within Edo State and its environs.
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
Suspected cultists kill 12 in attack on Jos community, Plateau govt imposes curfew
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Damboa LGA of Borno
Troops arrest 58 illegal miners in Edo state
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