As you may have heard, Drill Ranch experienced a terrible series of events since the end of 2019. If you saw the article from the Nigerian Guardian newspaper that was widely circulated online, it was not totally accurate. Here’s what happened:

Kyrian Tah

In the wee hours of December 29th, our Afi camp office was robbed; equipment totaling $6,000, including 2 MacBook Pro computers, was taken and about $2,000 in local currency – the cash arrived the night before to pay staff year-end bonuses. Naturally, we believe this was an “inside job”. Our local police were informed and proceeded to investigate; they visited camp and took statements. Two staff – our driver and senior security man – were held for questioning. On January 8th the police requested our remaining 3 security staff to visit the local station to give statements. That afternoon, unknown to us, the police decided to transfer these 3 staff plus the 2 in custody. The police vehicle had an accident. One staff, Kyrian Tah of Buanchor, was killed. The rest were hospitalized as were 6 police officers. Our driver Peter Eyo of Oron died later of his injuries.

The next day January 9th, news of the accident reached camp by radio from Calabar; there were no details on who was killed. As we struggled to grapple with the tragedy, the news reached Buanchor. Dozens of village youth stormed our camp. As they poured in on motorcycles armed with clubs and machetes, the staff told me to run and hide but I did not. I went to face them. I did not believe they’d hurt us. I was wrong. They ransacked the camp, smashing our vehicles, generators, equipment, tools, structures – everything they saw. They manhandled me and project manager Zack Schwenneker onto motorcycles and whisked us to the village. The youths bloodied a Dutch tourist (he escaped, thankfully).

In Buanchor it was chaos and mayhem. Hundreds of people were shouting, pushing, pulling and struggling to chain us. Zack was pulled into the street, savagely beaten and dragged away. The community leadership were powerless. After a few hours Zack and I were rescued by friendly factions, reunited, and returned to camp.

Peter Eyo “Obong”

We found camp heavily damaged and looted: they had rained havoc on vehicles, kitchen, main lodge, tool shed, fuel stores, radios, cameras, phones, binoculars, etc. all damaged, destroyed or stolen. The office was looted, including $1,700 in local currency. The animals and enclosures were untouched, and keepers all stayed vigilant. Ikom Police Command sent 4 armed officers that night who helped secure the camp for the next month, for which we were incredibly grateful. All staff, including those from Buanchor, have worked 24 hours a day since the attack – caring for the animals by day and security patrolling by night. We’re very proud of all the staff: they’ve been fantastic – working together to feed the 600+ animals, and repair infrastructure, as possible. Jennifer’s preparing 2 meals daily for 25 people plus keeping up with laundry and other chores. Without our Land Rovers or a driver willing to go to into the village we struggled the first week to get enough animal food. Fortunately, 2 men with vehicles from Buanchor stepped in to carry animal food at reasonable rates and we are managing.

The situation as of today with the village remains tense. Our police detail has vanished, although we were promised they would be restored. Kyrian’s and Peter Eyo’s bodies remain in the mortuary, and their families are demanding huge sums of money as compensation. Peter Eyo leaves 3 fatherless children in a nearby village. Yes, the police are liable for these costs but have not taken responsibility. The project’s expenditures in January doubled with medical costs for staff, replacing and repairing infrastructure, feeding staff and police twice daily, and overtime wages. We are facing at least $10,000 to replace stolen or destroyed equipment. Fortunately, dedicated funds from Rettet den Drill and Hannover Zoo are set aside for vehicle repair and replacement and Peter is working on this in Calabar.

Drill Ranch is more at risk today that at any time since its founding in 1991.

We don’t know if Drill Ranch is sustainable at this location. Buanchor is unlikely to improve. It’s rife with gangs and the leadership, however well-meaning they may be, cannot control the youth. Despite being amongst the largest private employers in the Boki tribal area, spending up to $1,000 cash every week buying animal food from villagers, Drill Ranch was not protected from rampaging youths. We are struggling to see our future here – a place Peter and I, with the help of the Cross River State government, federal government and many others, committed 30 years to establishing.

Moving Drill Ranch to another location is an option but the logistics are daunting. Yet, if we stay here, do we remain at risk? Are visitors likely to come again? Can we continue to invite international volunteers, which the project relies on for technical supervision? The reputation of Buanchor is permanently tarnished, and the perception of insecurity cannot be easily erased.

As we ponder these long-term issues, rest assured that the animals are fine. Zack is in charge in camp with the help of CJ, Kerrie Grant, Pieter van Heeren and the staff. Lulu the dog is keeping morale up. We’ll never forget Kyrian and Peter Eyo, the kindest and most cheerful members of Drill Ranch staff.

Please contact us if you have any questions or ideas for the future. We appreciate all your support and encouragement over these many years.

Liza Gadsby

PS Here is how you can make a donation.