From Rahila Abdullahi, Kaduna
Wildlife and environmental journalist has raised alarm over the persistent killing of international migratory bats at the gardens surrounding the Kaduna State House of Assembly, calling for urgent government intervention to halt the trend.
Speaking after a weekend field survey conducted alongside environmental scientists, the Head of Communication and Strategies at African Climate Reporters, ACR, Ibrahima Yakubu, described the situation as alarming and environmentally dangerous.
Yakubu explained that millions of migratory bats travel vast distances annually to roost and give birth in the historic Assembly garden, attracted by its cool climate and tall trees that provide a conducive breeding habitat. However, he lamented that the site has increasingly become a target for bushmeat hunters and illegal wildlife traders.
According to findings from the survey, hunters use catapults and stones to kill the bats, sell each for between ₦200 and ₦300 depending on the size. Some reportedly arrive with bags and kill as many as 50 to 60 bats in a single evening before transporting them to undisclosed locations for sale.
Yakubu warned that the continued killings are significantly reducing the bat population, with many injured bats unable to complete their return migration. He noted that the decline poses serious ecological risks, as they play a vital role in pest control and maintaining environmental balance.
A hunter, identified as Mr Daniel Auta, admitted to killing and roasting bats for commercial purposes, stating that the proceeds support his family and fund his children’s education. He revealed that hunters are aware of the specific months the bats migrate to Kaduna, making it easier to target them for sale.
Further investigations showed that groups of hunters frequently gather along the street behind the Assembly garden in the evening to carry out the killings. A horticulture vendor operating near the garden, who requested anonymity, complained that the hunters activities are also damaging ornamental plants and flowers within the premises.
Yakubu emphasised that addressing the crisis requires a multi-pronged approach, including stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws, public education to counter misconceptions about bats and long-term habitat conservation strategies.
He called on the Kaduna State government, State Police Command, wildlife conservation groups and civil society organisations to take immediate action.
Among his recommendations are the deployment of security personnel around the garden and the arrest of individuals involved in illegal hunting.
The development reflects a wider global concern about biodiversity loss.
In 2022, the United Nations warned that nearly one million plant and animal species worldwide face the risk of extinction due to climate change, pollution and unsustainable human activities.
Yakubu stressed that urgent and collective action is necessary to protect vulnerable migratory species such as the bats in Kaduna.
He maintained that through sustained awareness campaigns, stronger enforcement and community engagement, it is possible for humans and wildlife to coexist, while preserving biodiversity for future generations.
