‘We will prosecute those killing elephants, wildlife species’

The Federal Government has warned that it will prosecute those killing endangered species, while pledging legislation and effective enforcement measures to safeguard wildlife in the country.

Minister of State Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, gave the warning in Abuja in reaction to the recent illegal killings of elephants, other wildlife species by a military officer ordered by Chairman, Kala Balge local government in Borno and also the one brutally killed by Professor of University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

He said they received similar information on the killing of eagles that migrated from Europe but were eliminated in both Kebbi and Sokoto, adding that efforts are being made to retrieve the transmitters attached to the birds and return them to the researchers in Europe.

“As a ministry, we are committed to environmental conservation and protection of wildlife, and strongly condemn actions that undermine the fragile balance of our ecosystem. Trading or killing of endangered species are offences that are liable to prosecution according to the CITES regulations,” Salako.

He noted that such initiatives will focus on creating awareness about the significance of wildlife conservation, emphasising the importance of non-lethal methods in conflict resolution, and promoting sustainable practices to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.

The minister warned that the government will not condone any dastardly act by any persons or communities, saying, “We are launching an investigation into the tragic event of killing of the animals to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”

MEANWHILE, Conservator General of National Park Services, Dr. Ibrahim Goni, has explained that endangered wildlife species play immense roles in medicine, research, education, agriculture, tourism, spiritualism and are critical components in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 7.

Goni spoke on 2023 Scorecard in Abuja, saying, they made 646 arrests across various national parks, including hunters, grazers, wood loggers and others, while in terms of banditry, their men apprehended 37 suspects and recovered motorcycles, and machetes from them.

According to him, they have signed several memoranda of understandings aimed at addressing conservation challenges, such as to strengthen the capacities of the men and officers, as well as the protection of animals in the seven national parks in the country.