NPS, ANI partner to revitalise Gashaka Gumti national park

The National Park Service (NPS), has described its partnership with Africa Nature Investors (ANI) as critical to the restoration of law and order in and around the Gashaka Gumti National Park in Nigeria.

The institution disclosed in a statement that this affirmation comes from a recent violent incident involving park rangers and local community members.

“On the morning of Tuesday, June 25, 2024, three teams of rangers conducting a routine patrol in the Mayo-Sabere area of the Gashaka Gumti National Park were ambushed and attacked by a large crowd. The rangers had earlier arrested three individuals for clearing significant parts of the park for farming, which led to the confrontation,” it said.

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The NPS expressed deep regret over the incident, stating, “Investigations have revealed that during the ambush, the rangers took all possible measures to avoid confrontation. However, this became unavoidable when some of the attackers attempted to seize firearms from the rangers, resulting in various degrees of injuries to the rangers. Tragically, three of the attackers died as a result. We send our most sincere condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives.”

In response to the incident, the NPS emphasised its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and upholding the rights of communities and staff while performing their duties. A senior delegation was dispatched from the NPS headquarters to collaborate with local authorities and community leaders to ensure a thorough investigation and resolution.

The NPS acknowledged the critical role of its partnership with the ANI Foundation in restoring and maintaining law and order within the Gashaka Gumti National Park. “Our partnership with ANI Foundation has been critical to restoring law and order in Gashaka Gumti National Park, and we have every confidence in this partnership to protect and develop the park.”

“We will continue to work closely with all authorities to maintain safety and security for our staff and the communities,” the NPS concluded.