“Our mission is to also provide human benefits and enjoyment in such manner and by such means so that these are left unspoiled for generations to come.
By Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
In line with the laws that established the Nigeria National Parks Service, the Conservator-General, Dr. Ibrahim Goni has reiterated his commitment to strive harder to keep the sanity and integrity of Nigeria’s National Parks, adding that he would continue to live up to the expectations at curtailing the nefarious activities of the criminals operating along National Parks areas of the country.
Dr Goni hinted Journalists on his readiness to continue to manage and regulate the use of these unique ecosystems designated as National Parks to preserve and conserve Nigeria’s heritage.
The Conservator General made this known at a Press conference held, Wednesday, via zoom aiming at briefing the general public on the outcome of the recent joint patrol carried out at the Kainji Lake National Park.
According the CG, “Our mission is to also provide human benefits and enjoyment in such manner and by such means so that these are left unspoiled for generations to come.” He added that, “The Park Service is making efforts to put in place Operational Management Plans for each Park, and Systems Plan for the entire country. A National Park System that would meets the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians, and indeed the whole world, in preserving and protecting our natural heritage and the cultural relics.
At the press conference, Goni made it known that, “On August 12 and 13, 2021 the Service Rangers in collaboration with security agencies and local vigilantes carried out a successful routine joint patrol at the park where a lot of bandits were neutralized and several illegal loggers arrested.
“This activity is often carried out with personnel of these agencies with the aim to nip in the bud any suspected criminal activities.”
He added that, “About twenty (20) number of illegal loggers who had different sizes of trucks, some articulated trucks, loaded with timber were arrested by the joint patrol team.
“Trespassers will eventually be prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the land.”
He said, “The collaborative efforts paying off and will effectively degrade the activities of bandits and other criminal elements within our Parks and the surrounding communities.
“These collaborations, which are a continuing exercise, would help to speedily restore peace and stability at our Parks, the host communities and Nigeria as a whole.
“It is worthy to note that this operation was successful because of the vital information shared to the Service and which is a crucial role every person in Nigeria should play. It is pivotal in decisively checking the activities of criminals.
“The Park, just like other forest reserves, has challenges such as illegal poaching, grazing, logging and fishing, and we have remained committed to attaining the desired status of a tourist destination for legal visitors.
“We will always evaluate, re-strategise and reinvigorate our ongoing operations to stem the tide of growing security threats around the Parks and adjoining communities.
He however appreciates the Army, Police, DSS, Civil Defence, the vigilante and indeed the people of Borgu Emirate for their support and cooperation.
“I thank them all for their sacrifices and dedication toward curtailing banditry and other security challenges bedeviling our Parks.”
Goni calls for continuous support from our host communities in this fight against illegal activities at our Parks and their environs.
“I urge Nigerians not to rest on their oars until normalcy is completely restored to our dear country.
“The Management of the Park is fully aware of the security situation of the areas within our legal jurisdiction and as such, we are closing ranks with other relevant stakeholders to curb the daunting challenges associated with our operations.
He assured the public that the management of the Park will continue to strive very hard to keep the sanity and integrity of our Parks through our numerous strategies and modus operandi.
Responding to question which has to do with the Service personnel training, Goni however clears a doubt saying that training of the officers of the Service is a routine thing, according to him, “The Service has a very strong collaborative relationship with other security agencies and the training and retraining is something that the service does not joke with.
He assured that his personnel are battle ready to combat the bandits and criminals ravaging the country Reserve areas, adding that the Service has engaged the service of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC) in Armory training, Nigerian Army in Combat readiness. Goni pointed out that the immediate Chief of Army Staff approved a training that would take place in two places, for the personnel in south the training will take place in Ibadan and for those in the north it would take place in Jos.
CG told the journalists at the press briefing that, the Service also incorporates the use of volunteers particularly the youth within the local environments of the country’s reserve areas who are ready to assist in securing the environment.
The CG also responded to another question asking for what the Service is doing to protect the ecological system. He said, the press briefing is part of what the Service is doing to protect the ecological system to keep the general public abreast of the activities of the Service. He concludes that the Service is doing a lot to protect not only the game reserves but the ecosystem of the country in general.
Below are the names and details of the suspects that are being prosecuted by the Service
1, Name of suspect: Francis Joseph & Tanko Musa Date of Arrest: 20th July,2021 Area of Arrest: Kaima Truck Plate Number: FF 78 XB
2. Name of suspect: Manniru Abubakar & Segun Opalere Date of Arrest: 20th July,2021 Area of Arrest: Wawa Truck Plate Number: FGE 62 ZS
3, Name of suspect :Danladi Garba & Ibrahim Sadik Date of Arrest: 24th July,2021 Area of Arrest: Kale Truck Plate Number: SUL 230 SP
4, Name of suspect: Alhaji Musa Dorayi & Abdullahi Santana Date of Arrest: 6th August,2021 Area of Arrest: Kishi Truck Plate Number: GGE 677 SK
5, Name of suspect: Shola Awojobe & Aliyu Baura Date of Arrest: 6th August,2021 Area of Arrest: Kishi Truck Plate Number: JEG 935 SA
6, Name of suspect: Ibrahim Sadik Katsina & Babangida Jimeta Date of Arrest: 6th August,2021 Area of Arrest: Kishi Truck Plate Number: GGF 923 AA
7, Name of suspect: Yau Chairman & Mohammad Datti Date of Arrest: 6th August, 2021 Area of Arrest: Kish Truck Plate Number: MNA 43 ZY
8, Name of suspect: Alhaji Muktari Zaria & Musa Hassan Date of Arrest: 11th August,2021 Area of Arrest: KishiTruck Plate Number: SU 792 ZAR
9, Name of suspect: Babangida Aliyu & Buhari Mohd Date of Arrest: 19th August,2021 Area of Arrest: Kaima Truck Plate Number: TO 523 KT
10, Name of suspect: Ayuba Mohammad & Adamu Gambo Date of Arrest: 19th August,2021 Area of Arrest: Kaima Truck Plate Number: SA 694 PKM