The Federal Government has warned that biodiversity is facing a mass extinction, even as illegal wildlife trade remains a sophisticated and transnational threat in Nigeria.

Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, who spoke at this year’s World Ranger Day celebration in Abuja, said the planet is undergoing unprecedented transformation, with climate change reshaping landscapes and ecosystems.

According to him, the country’s park rangers remain the first line of defence in protecting Nigeria’s rich biodiversity. “From the lush rainforests of Cross River National Park to the sweeping savannahs of Kainji Lake National Park, from the unique oasis of the Chad Basin to the majestic plateaus of Gashaka-Gumti, rangers are the eyes and ears of our natural world,” he said.

Lawal noted that for two decades, World Ranger Day has served as a solemn reminder of the courage, sacrifice and unwavering dedication of men and women who stand on the frontlines of conservation. “Today, we are not merely marking a date; we are consecrating a moment to honour the silent sentinels of our natural heritage, our park rangers,” he said.

The minister said the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Rangers: Guardians of a Changing Planet’, reflects the realities confronting conservation efforts worldwide.

“In the face of these global storms, who stands on the frontlines? Who forms the thin green line between extinction and survival? Rangers are the first to detect invasive species, the first to report the impacts of drought, and often the first to sacrifice everything for nature.

“Your role has evolved dramatically. We now face challenges unknown to your predecessors two decades ago,” he added.

Earlier, the Conservator-General of the National Park Service, Ibrahim Goni, said rangers have continued to confront armed poachers, human-wildlife conflicts, illegal mining, logging and organised crimes, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry and kidnapping.

He added that beyond protecting wildlife, rangers have become ambassadors of environmental sustainability by planting trees, restoring degraded landscapes and engaging local communities in conservation programmes.

Goni described the 20th anniversary of World Ranger Day as an important milestone and a moment to honour colleagues who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.

“Our fallen colleagues include six rangers in Old Oyo National Park, four in Kainji Lake National Park, three in Chad Basin National Park, seven in Cross River National Park, one in Kamuku National Park and two in Okomu National Park,” he said.

He also commended rangers of Old Oyo National Park for their role in the rescue of 44 school pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the operation as a demonstration of the expanding security role of park rangers in protecting lives and communities.