42 Rangers Deployed to Enhance Gashaka Gumti Park Security

On Tuesday, the National Park Service deployed 42 community rangers to Gashaka Gumti National Park, which spans Taraba and Adamawa states. This initiative, led by Conservator General Ibrahim Goni, aims to strengthen security and conservation efforts in the park.

The recruitment of dedicated youth from local communities addresses manpower shortages caused by retirements and operational losses within the park service. The initiative is part of a strategic partnership with the Ani Foundation, which began in 2021, focusing on restoring the park's ecological integrity and enhancing community participation in conservation.

The newly recruited rangers will undergo intensive training in patrol tactics, wildlife tracking, and legal procedures. They will play a crucial role in combating illegal mining, logging, livestock encroachment, and poaching, which threaten the park's biodiversity, including endangered species like chimpanzees and leopards.

Local leaders, including traditional rulers and local government officials, have praised this initiative for improving security and enabling displaced farmers to return to their communities.