The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed at strengthening wildlife protection in the country.
Speaking in Abuja, the Director General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, stated that they would soon establish a framework for cooperation to combat transnational organised criminal networks trafficking in wildlife, fish, and timber in the country.
Barikor also stated that the MoU will strengthen intelligence sharing, enhance forensic and legal collaboration, and support future programmes under the Nigerian Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force.
“This aligns perfectly with Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES, and demonstrates our government’s determination to protect biodiversity, conserve threatened species, and ensure sustainable managed wildlife resources for future generations.”
The Director General added, “NESREA is committed to working hand-in-hand with the WJC to ensure that Nigeria does not serve as a haven or transit hub for wildlife traffickers. Together, we will make it increasingly difficult for those who profit from the destruction of our natural heritage.”
Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Executive Director of the Wildlife Justice Commission, in a statement, said that the collaboration with NESREA would bring fresh vigour into wildlife enforcement activities in the country.
Chief of Investigations of WJC, Stephen Carmody, represented by the Regional Manager for West and Central Africa, Abim Isafiade, said
“By expanding our partnerships to include NESREA and the Nigerian Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force, we can sustain and deepen this transformation, ensuring that Nigeria continues to set the benchmark for intelligence-led enforcement.
The MoU reflects a shared commitment by NESREA and the WJC to disrupt wildlife crime, dismantle transnational criminal networks, and ensure that organised crime is no longer driving species to extinction.
