As part of its strategy to support a sustained tourist follow, the Wildlife Conservation Society of Nigeria (WCS) has retrained 71 rangers to guard Bauchi’s Yankari Games Reserve, one of the leading tourist destinations in the country.
Yankari covered an area of about 2,244 square kilometres. It houses several natural warm spring waters and a diverse fauna and flora. Yankari Games Reserve is believed to be home to the remaining lions and elephants in Nigeria.
Country Director of WCS Nigeria, Mr Andrew Dunn disclosed this during the closing ceremony of the refresher training at the premises of Yankari Games Reserve, Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi State.
He said the training was designed to empower the rangers with the skills needed to properly handle contemporary security challenges in and around the reserve.
Concerns Over Military Helicopter Hovering Alkaleri LG in Bauchi
Mr Dunn said the WCS Nigeria had in 2015 conducted the first training for the rangers, adding that the refresher training comes after every two years.
He expressed confidence in the capacity of the trained rangers to continue providing security to animals and visitors to Yankari Games Reserve alike, assuring of the continued commitment of WCS to supporting them to effectively discharge their duties.
On his part, Commissioner of Police Bauchi State Command, Auwal Musa Muhammad urged the rangers to be disciplined, dedicated and professional in their conduct.
Represented by the Area commander of Bauchi Metro, ACP Ahmad Madigawa, the Commissioner of Police said dedication and discipline should remain the watchwords for all the trained Rangers.
Speaking on behalf of the trained rangers, the General Commander of the Yankari Games Reserve Rangers, Sulaiman Sa’idu assured that his team is fully capacitated to tactically face any threat in and around the forest.
