By Kayode Oguntona

That the Nigeria National Park Service is really committed to fighting criminal activities especially poaching in its various parks should not be taken for granted following the recent arrest of two foreign nationals inside the Old Oyo National Park.

The two suspects who claimed to be Chinese simply identified themselves as Ju and Jao, working with an Abuja – based company.

They were allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities when they were arrested by park rangers in one of the park locations in Oke Ogun area of Oyo state.

Upon interrogation by the Conservator of Parks, Old Oyo National Park, Mr. Teslim Adeniyi Kareem and his management team, one of the suspects, Ju confessed before newsmen that they were prospecting for lithium, a core material for manufacturing batteries.

Although Ju’s partner did not speak for over an hour that the interrogation lasted, mining documents presented by them were suspected to be fake as they were all dated 25th May, 2023.

A phone call put across to the suspects’ boss identified as Bernie in Abuja by the Conservator of Parks confirmed the suspicion that the papers were fake.

Speaking on the incident, Conservator of Parks, Old Oyo National Park, Mr Teslim Adeniyi Kareem described the arrest as an outcome of coordinated surveillance, saying the park remains committed to zero tolerance for poaching.

Meanwhile, the two suspects with their escorts and vehicles have been handed over to operatives of Operation Burst Security outfit in Oyo town.

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