FG commits to tackling wildlife crimes, seizes N3b pangolin scales

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking and other crimes, which resulted in the seizure of over N3 billion worth of Pangolin scales in Kebbi State.

Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Salako, who stated this at the unveiling of Elephant Sculpture: ‘A Symbolic Milestone in the Fight Against Wildlife Trafficking’, expressed the government’s zero tolerance for illegal wildlife trade.

Salako also said that the government would be resolute in enforcing the laws and upscale the deployment of technology in fighting criminals, warning those groups engaged in the crime of illegal wildlife trade to desist from such illegality or laws will catch up with them.

He stressed that the demand for wild animals’ parts and derivatives would continue to persist with a surge in black markets for the sale of illegally acquired wildlife parts, with the impact of such demand aggravated by the globalisation of the world economy.

The minister urged Nigerians to support the government in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking by providing intelligence information to discourage animal poaching and refusing to use products that are not ethically sourced.

“We need wildlife for our survival, well-being and prosperity as they maintain ecological balance, provide critical ecosystem systems, maintain the food chain, and they keep us connected to nature. Information sharing and chain of custody are needed,” he added.

Salako said that fighting against illegal wildlife requires a collaborative approach and working with other agencies of government in law enforcement, Nigeria Custom Service, the military, the Nigeria Police, the National Park Service, and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit.

The Director General, NESREA, Dr Innocent Barikor, said that the event is the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria’s fight against wildlife crime since 1975 when the Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) came into force.

Barikor noted that since its domestication in 1985 through the Endangered Species Act, which is currently undergoing review, the agency would continue to work in collaboration with other relevant government agencies, including non-governmental and civil societal organisations.

He, therefore, commended the support received from key development partners such as the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation (EPIF), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), the United States Embassy, and the World Conservation Society (WCS) Wild Africa.