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Wildlife Trafficking: NESREA Apprehends Criminal Five Years After

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

Moved to end trafficking on endeangered species, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in a joint operation with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) apprehended a fugitive wildlife trafficker, Shamsideen Abubakar. 

The criminal was previously declared wanted by the Federal High Court in Lagos and was identified as a key figure in the trafficking network.

Abubakar, who has been on the run since September 2021, was arrested following a coordinated operation by the WJC and NCS that led to the arrest of his associates, Sunday Ebenyi and Salif Sandwidi.

The operation also resulted in the seizure of 1,009.50 kilograms of pangolin scales in the Ikeja area of Lagos.

Abubakar's arrest comes five years after his involvement in large-scale wildlife trafficking and almost two years being officially declared wanted by the Federal High Court, demonstrates the commitment of Nigeria' law enforcement and NGO partners like the Wildlife Justice Commission to conduct long-term investigations with a multi-dimensional operational approach.

Seizures during the raid

It also demonstrates the determination of the Federal Government and its partners to rid the country of illegal wildlife traffickers, and reinforces the country’s zero-tolerance for crimes that threaten biodiversity and undermine national and international laws. 

The arrest further disrupted the already significantly weakened criminal networks in Nigeria and those connected from other countries.

Director General/ CEO of NESREA, Prof Innocent Barikor said that the arrest signaled near-end to Nigeria’s illegal wildlife trafficking network, adding that arrest warrants will be strongly pursued.

He added: "NESREA is determined to ensure that Nigeria is not a safe haven for wildlife crime, as the agency and her partners will pursue, arrest, and prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law. 

"We remain resolute on this, and will ensure that every seizure, arrest, and  conviction is pursued with unrelenting commitment until this illicit trade is eradicated from our shores.

"The success we have achieved today is the result of strategic partnership, intelligence sharing, and joint enforcement operation. 

"We salute our partners and other sister agencies while we call on the public to report suspicious activities, and urge intending traffickers to desist because the era of impunity is over."

This was contained in a statement by Assistant of Director (Press) NESREA, Mrs Nwamaka Ejiofor on Wednesday in Abuja. 
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