Security Forces Nab 621 Criminals Exploiting Nigeria’s Forests And Parks As Safe Havens

Security Forces Nab 621 Criminals Exploiting Nigeria’s Forests And Parks As Safe Havens

A total of 621 individuals have been detained across various regions of Nigeria for engaging in criminal activities within the nation’s forests and national parks. These areas, including Kamuku, Chad Basin, and Kainji Lake, have recently seen an increase in violent intrusions,…Security Forces Nab 621 Criminals Exploiting Nigeria’s Forests And Parks As Safe Havens

putting both park management and surrounding communities at risk.

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Monday, highlighting that these actions occurred between January and October 2024. The criminals used these protected areas as hideouts for committing serious offences.

Zakari Mijinyawa, Director of Legal Services at ONSA, spoke at a press briefing hosted by the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC), emphasizing that the use of national parks and forests for criminal activities has become a significant national security challenge. In response, the National Park Service has ramped up security efforts, conducting trans-border patrols and even forging a cooperation agreement with Cameroon.

Between January and October 2024, the National Park Service made 621 arrests for various offenses, prosecuted 466 individuals, and resolved 61 cases outside the courtroom. Mijinyawa reassured the public of the government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s natural resources and reinforcing park regulations.

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