Security Clampdown at Jos Wildlife Park

The single sharpest fact today is that night grazing by herders has triggered a security clampdown at Jos Wildlife Park in Plateau State.

Herders have been sneaking into the protected conservation area between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m., a time when staff presence is minimal, leaving the facility vulnerable to breaches.

These incursions are usually facilitated through water channels and broken padlocks on gates along the western boundary of the park, close to the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) headquarters.

In a statement, the Plateau State Tourism Corporation revealed that the activities pose serious security and environmental risks, including habitat destruction and threats to wildlife.

Thomas Artu, on behalf of the management, warned that these activities will not be tolerated.

The park management has temporarily sealed all pedestrian entry points and intensified patrols across the reserve. Joint security operations involving the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies are underway to arrest and prosecute offenders.

According to the corporation, arrests and prosecutions of herders and illegal miners have already been secured, describing the move as part of a broader strategy to reclaim the park from environmental abuse and criminal misuse.

The state government said Governor Caleb Mutfwang has ordered urgent and long-term measures to consolidate the gains of the fencing project and ensure the park’s safety as a key ecological and tourism asset in Plateau State.

Residents and surrounding communities, particularly Dong Kassa, have been commended for their vigilance and encouraged to continue reporting suspicious activities around the park.

Since its fencing under the ACRESAL programme, the park has enjoyed some measure of security, but the continued breach of its boundaries by night grazers poses a significant threat to the ecosystem and wildlife population.

The tourism corporation has urged the public to support efforts to safeguard the park and its inhabitants, while also emphasizing the importance of respecting the environment and the law.

The Plateau State government has taken steps to address the security concerns and reassure visitors that the park remains a safe destination for tourism and recreation.

The Jos Wildlife Park has long been an important conservation area, and efforts to ensure its safety and security will be continuous and concerted.

The park management and security agencies have vowed to work together to prevent future breaches and protect the park's resources.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang has ordered measures to consolidate the gains of the fencing project and ensure the park's safety. The Plateau State Tourism Corporation has warned that the activities pose serious security and environmental risks, including habitat destruction and threats to wildlife.