By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
JALINGO – The First-class Chief of Gashaka Chiefdom in Gashaka local government area of Taraba State, HRH Lamdo Zubairu Hamman Gabdo on Friday said that the intervention of African Nature Investors (ANI) has contributed tremendously to curtail deteriorating security situation in the local government.
The Monarch who disclosed this while interacting with journalists noted that the improved security at the Gashaka Gumti National Park and it’s environs has help to drive away bandits and kidnappers who were taking advantage of the vast difficult terrain to perpetuate their actions.
He said that increased recruitment and arming of Rangers has made it very difficult to bandits to use the forest as hibernating and safe haven.
“I must say that ANI is doing a very good job. At a point, people could no longer go to their farms freely for fear of attacks. Porchers were also having a field day while loggers were wrecking serious havoc to the environment.
“The situation was deteriorating very fast and as a Chief, I was very worried. Luckily for us, ANI came in with their intervention and the narrative has changed drastically.
“I guess the gain changer is the arrival of a Helicopter that now enhances surveillance and deployment of rangers to remote areas. Those spots that could not be reached easily due to distance and extremely difficult terrain are very easily accessed now. It also take much less time now to patrol the entire park.
“Besides these direct security interventions, other things they are doing for the surrounding communities have also helped to empower the women and engage the youth productively” he said.
The Monarch urge the people to join hands with ANI to strengthen the security of the people and the area and call for collaboration from the state government so that they will do more for the general good of the State.
