Nigeria’s Park Service Highlights Wildlife Protection Gains Despite Illegal Mining, Insecurity

News in Brief:

— Nigeria's park service reports removing about 4,000 illegal miners from the Kila mining area through a joint operation involving security agencies, state governments and partners.

— Despite the progress, illegal mining, insecurity, limited funding, and ranger fatalities continue to threaten protected areas, prompting calls for stronger partnerships and alternative livelihoods.

Nigeria’s National Park Service reportedly removed an estimated 4,000 illegal miners from the Kila mining area near Gashaka-Gumti National Park. The agency described it as one of its major conservation successes in recent years.

It carried out the operation with support from the Nigerian military, the governments of Adamawa and Taraba states and conservation organisation African Nature Investors (ANI).

National Park Service Conservator-General Ibrahim Musa Goni said the operation involved community engagement, security support and shutting down mining pits.

Illegal Mining Remains a Threat

Goni, who has headed the service since 2017, said removing the miners does not end the threat. He noted that gold remains underground and warned that miners could return.

The service has therefore established a ranger camp around Kila and is relying on communities, traditional leaders and security agencies to monitor the area. It says illegal mining has also contributed to other crimes, including wildlife offences, kidnapping and banditry.

Rangers Face Growing Risks

Conservation efforts have come at a cost, with several rangers killed or injured while confronting criminals. Goni said two rangers were killed at Gashaka-Gumti in 2025, while other personnel have died in attacks at Old Oyo and Kainji Lake national parks.

He said the service is increasingly using drones, GPS devices, camera traps and SMART monitoring systems to improve surveillance, particularly where personnel are limited.

He added that government funding alone cannot meet the needs of Nigeria’s 17 national parks, making partnerships with conservation organisations and donors increasingly important. ANI has supported ranger training, equipment, aerial surveillance and alternative livelihood programmes around Gashaka-Gumti.

The Park Service is also looking to private-sector investment in tourism, drawing lessons from countries such as Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa. Goni said Nigeria needs to develop tourism models that can generate revenue for conservation while creating jobs for communities living around protected areas.