Maghreb Edition

Sahel: Three Nigerian poachers arrested in Niger with massive haulF

Posted On 17 March 2019

Number of times this article was read : 371

Niamey, March 17, 2019 (AFP) – Three Nigerian poachers were arrested in Niger with a massive haul of slaughtered game from W National Park which straddles the borders of Niger, Burkina Faso and Benin, officials said Sunday. Forestry agents discovered elephant tusks, giant snake skins and the carcasses or heads of various animals including buffalos and monkeys loaded into two vans in Niger’s southwestern Dosso region bordering the park, a statement said.

They also seized a dozen hunting rifles, machetes, six bicycles and various chemical substances, it said. Dosso state governor Moussa Ousmane praised the operation as “an unprecedented… exploit for our agents”.

The park, a UN World Heritage site covering some 10,000 square kilometres (nearly 4,000 square miles), contains a vast wealth of fauna and is an important migration sanctuary.

Subscribe to Urgent Notifications and Newsletter

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Sahel: Niger Emerges as Key Battleground as JNIM and Islamic State Collide

A defection, a blood feud, and overlapping territorial ambitions are pushing JNIM and the Islamic State Sahel Province into direct competition across western Niger. The outcome around the region of Dosso could determine whether Sahelian jihadist violence stays fragmented — or consolidates into a wider regional arc.

Egypt’s Summer Blackouts Return as Energy Stress Reappears$

Egypt is facing another round of summer power disruptions, with prolonged outages reported across several governorates. The latest blackouts revive questions about grid resilience, official readiness, and the country’s recurring energy crisis.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.