Taraba communities laud foundation for improved security in park

Communities in the Gashaka local government council of Taraba State, have attributed the improved security in the crime-ridden Gumti National Park to the strategic partnership with the Africa Nature Investors, (ANI) Foundation.

Members of the communities said there has been a reduction in armed banditry, kidnapping, and illegal activities since ANI’s partnership with the National Park Service, (NPS).

In a recent visit by The Guardian to the park, the communities stressed how the partnership has led to the training and empowerment of park rangers that has effectively curbed criminal activities in the area.

Community leader, Yusuf Sadiq, said that “the criminals who used to make life difficult for us have all been chased out of the park by the rangers, who were trained by ANI. We now sleep with both eyes closed since ANI’s arrival in the Gashaka area.”

Recounting past experiences of kidnappings and murders by bandits in the park, Sadiq noted that, “these incidents have drastically declined due to ANI’s intervention.

The foundation, as made known by him, has provided the NPS with training and resources to equip rangers to combat banditry, kidnapping, and other illegal activities.

The conservator of the park, Joseph Ntui, emphasized ANI’s impact, saying, “ANI has not only reduced our workloads but also assisted in training our rangers and equipping them with the needed tools to confront those undesirable elements that have in the past made the park their hideout.”

ANI’s Community Liaison Manager, David Peter, who also spoke with our correspondent, highlighted the technical and financial support provided to the NPS, stressing that “the collaboration has led to a massive reduction in criminal activities in the park.”

He urged greater involvement from the state government to complement the efforts of the park management.