Residents of Gashaka Gumti National Park in Taraba State have filed a lawsuit against the park management, African Nature’s Investors Foundation Nigeria (ANI), and the National Park Service at the Federal High Court in Jalingo.
Seeking N100 billion in compensation, the residents accuse the defendants of causing destruction of homes and killing domestic animals in their community.
The community alleges that the actions of ANI and the park rangers have resulted in illegal activities, including bombings and the loss of lives like Abubakar Auwal, Bello Tukur, and Mohammed Bello.
Represented by counsel Isa Jalo, they request the court to declare the defendants’ actions as unconstitutional and a violation of their fundamental rights, urging for an immediate halt to threats on their lives and eviction attempts.
Appearing in court with placards, the community members expressed their frustrations with the lack of response from both state and federal authorities, emphasizing their hope for justice through the legal system to reclaim their freedom from the defendants.
