A total of 621 individuals have been arrested following their alleged criminal activities by illegally exploring forests and national parks across various regions of the country as their refuge for committing serious offences.

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) confirmed the arrest in a statement on Monday, noting that parks such as Kamuku, Chad Basin, and Kainji Lake have experienced violent intrusions, posing threats to both park management and nearby communities before the arrests made by the operatives of the National Park Services.

During a press briefing organized by the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC), Zakari Mijinyawa, the Director of Legal Services at ONSA, disclosed that these arrests occurred for a range of offences between January and October 2024.

He emphasized that the utilization of forests and national parks as hideouts by criminals has emerged as a significant national security issue in Nigeria.

In response, the National Park Service has intensified security measures through trans-border patrols and established a cooperation agreement with Cameroon.

He said, “Between January and October 2024, the Service made 621 arrests for various offences, prosecuted 466 individuals, and resolved 61 cases out of court, underscoring its commitment to enforcing park regulations and protecting Nigeria’s natural resources.”