Army trained 100 park rangers in Taraba.
By Chuwang Dungs
The Nigeria army with the 20 model Battalion in Serti, Gashaka local government area of Taraba has successfully train 100 park rangers of the Nigeria National Park Service (NNPS).
Gashaka local government area, is where the Gumti National Park is located, the area over the years has faced incessant security challenges due to the activities of poachers, bandits and illegal miners.
DAYLIGHT REPORTERS, gathered that the rangers were drawn from the various parks across the country and they successfully completed the training.
The extensive training program was a two-week course of intelligence and practical training that enhanced the rangers capabilities to protect wildlife resources and combat insecurity within forest and adjoining communities, which is becoming a threat to human existence.
Speaking on Saturday, at the graduation ceremony in Serti, the conservator general of the National park service, Ibrahim Goni, represented by his deputy, Mohammed Kabir, said. “It is instructive to note that one of the cardinal strategies of operational growth and development of the parks service is through regular training and retraining of our officers and men. In an attempt to position them for optimum efficiency and high productivity on the job.
The Chief of army staff, Taoheed Lagbaja, who was also represented by by the commandant of the battalion, Abidemi Ogidan highlights some of the challenges faced by the rangers which requires the collaboration of the army.
“The training as further build up the physical training and sportsmanship ability, it as improved the drill and general bearing, it as guided them on applying jungle survival tactics in the field.” Ogidan said.
Initially, Nigeria has 8 national parks which includes: Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Kainji National Park, Yankari National Park, Kamuku National Park, Cross River National Park, Okomu National Park,Chad Basin National Park and Old Oyo National Park.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari, in the last administration request for the establishment of 10 National Parks. The new Parks declared in the Order are: Allawa Game Reserve, Niger, Apoi Forest Reserve, Bayelsa, and Edumenum Reserve, Bayelsa.
Others include: Falgore Game Reserve, Kano State, Baturiya Wetland Game Reserve, Jigawa, Kampe Forest Reserve, Kwara, Kogo Forest Reserve, Katsina State, and Marhai Forest Reserve, Nasarawa State
Also in the lists are; Oba Hill Forest Reserve, Osun and Pandam Forest Reserve, Plateau State.
