FG destroys elephant ivory products worth $9.9b

Federal Government has destroyed elephant ivory products, weighing approximately 2,436.15 kilogrammes valued at $9.9 billion in its efforts to tackle illegal ivory trade.

Minister of State for Environment, Dr Ishaqi Salako, stated this at the crushing site in Abuja, saying Nigeria has successfully organised its first-ever ivory crush, destroying significant stockpiles of confiscated elephant tusks.

Salako said the country is Africa’s major transit hub for ivory export, adding that with the crushing, the government had sent strong signals to combat illegal ivory trade and protect its dwindling elephant population.

He said the exercise would mark a significant milestone in the country’s efforts at curbing illegal ivory trade and conserving hundreds of elephants. He commended the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in collaboration with the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation for their initiatives.

“We are proud to stand at the forefront of the fight against illegal ivory trade. Today’s ivory crush is a symbol of Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation and the protection of our natural heritage,” he added.

Director General of NESREA, Prof Aliyu Jauro, said: “The destruction of the confiscated ivory is a tangible step towards stamping out wildlife trafficking.”

In its remarks, Peter Knights of Wild Africa Fund praised Nigeria for fighting illegal wildlife trade with more seizures and prosecutions and greater public awareness, saying, the next logical step is to update its legislation.