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The Chairman, Native Advisory Committee on Outdated Oyo Nationwide Park, Archbishop Emeritus Ayo Ladigbolu, has decried the neglect of forest rangers by the Nigerian authorities.
Ladigbolu, who spoke at a ceremony organised by the administration of the Outdated Oyo Nationwide Park to mark this yr’s World Ranger Day, on Friday, noticed that society normally usually overlook each the widespread and distinctive risks rangers are uncovered to whereas discharging their duties.
Based on Ladigbolu, who was the particular visitor of honour on the event, failure of governments over time to recognise rangers as integral a part of the nation’s safety structure is essentially chargeable for their neglect.
“After I obtained the invitation to this occasion, I started reflecting on the plight of rangers and their households. Domestically and globally, authorities and the folks don’t recognise the hazards they’re uncovered to whereas alone within the thick forest defending our inexperienced heritage.
“In fact, some might argue that different safety businesses are additionally uncovered to risks. However we hardly see rangers as a part of the safety structure. However they’re commonly uncovered to each widespread and other forms of surprising assaults from poachers and wild animals.
“Subsequently, there may be want for the federal government to do extra for them and supply them with extra ammunition to guard themselves. I additionally need to urge the federal government to cater for the households of rangers who die within the line of responsibility, presumably by organising a life insurance coverage scheme for them.”
Ladigbolu had earlier inspected a guard of honour mounted by officers of the Park on his arrival on the venue of the ceremony held at its liaison workplace in Oyo.
In his remarks, Conservator of the Outdated Oyo Nationwide Park, CP Tesleem Adeniyi Kareem, stated this yr’s World Ranger Day was being celebrated belatedly “on account of a latest unlucky lack of two senior officers to the actions of unlawful miners within the Park”.
Two officers hooked up to the Outdated Oyo Nationwide Park, DCP Ayemhoba Amhagbor Peter and CPI Adedokun Julius Adeola, reportedly misplaced their lives throughout a gun battle with unlawful miners on August 9.
The ceremony additionally witnessed the presentation of money helps to households of rangers who had died within the line of responsibility.
The ceremony was witnessed by heads of different safety businesses, together with the police, Nigerian Safety and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Highway Security Corps and the Nigerian Immigration Service.
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