Nigeria: Eco-guards stop illegal logging in Ekuri Forest
Illegal loggers and gold miners invaded Ekuri Forest when there were no eco-guards left to protect it. Now, our partner Martins Egot is organizing the forest’s defense. With encouraging results: The new patrols have already stopped several logging operations.
Chimpanzees, elephants, and other large animals – the jungle in eastern Nigeria is a living treasure, bursting with life in a country that has already lost nearly all its forests.
For generations, the Indigenous Ekuri people have stood as guardians of this rare refuge, protecting it from loggers, gold prospectors, and plantation interests.
Under the leadership of Chief Edwin Ogar – a longtime ally of Rainforest Rescue – eco-guards patrolled the forest and kept it safe. But after a long illness, Chief Ogar passed away last spring, and with his loss came the suspension of the patrols. Since then, illegal loggers have seized their chance. The battle to save the forest has never been more urgent.
Martins Egot has stepped forward to sound the alarm. As the founder of the environmental organization PADIC Africa, he leads patrols in forests around Buanchor and Iko-Esaie, near the Ekuri lands. His approach has already proven highly effective – determined local teams protecting their forests with courage and persistence.
Within a few short months, a lot of damage can be done to a forest. Eco-guards can prevent this.”
When Ekuri chiefs turned to Martins for help, he responded right away. With support from Rainforest Rescue donors, he organized, equipped, and funded 20 eco-guards to defend Ekuri once more. Martins himself is Ekuri, deeply rooted in his community and trusted by his people.
Within days, the new patrol caught several loggers in the act and confiscated their chainsaws – a powerful message to anyone planning to destroy the forest. Whether they come from nearby villages unaware of conservation or from outsiders seeking gold, the eco-guards now stand in their way.
The guards have also cleared undergrowth to mark the boundaries of Ekuri territory, ensuring no one can pretend they did not know.
As an insider, I understand the problems in Ekuri very well, and thanks to my experience, I can achieve a lot with them.”
– Martins Egot
By the end of the year, PADIC Africa aims to train and fund 20 eco-guards in Ekuri. We want to support them financially in this effort.
Once again, the Ekuri are fighting back – and their courage gives new hope to the forest at the heart of their lives.
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