News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja At least four persons have been arrested as the Federal Government uncovered wildlife trafficking cartel terrorising Lagos and Ogun States. The feat was recorded through a joint intelligence-led operation by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESREA, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, and Wildlife Justice Commission, WJC, over the weekend. But following several days of diligent surveillance by the tactical team in Ofada, Mowe, and Lagos, the criminals were arrested on Saturday. The operation also led to the interception of 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg and the seizure of a vehicle. The Director General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor described the operation as a major victory in the ongoing war against wildlife crime, adding that it is a further proof of Nigeria’s zero-tolerance stance on wildlife crimes. “Nigeria will not be used as a hub for wildlife trafficking. NESREA and our partners are resolute ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed a factory in Kano State, Fortune Rice Mills Limited for non-compliance with extant environmental regulations. The enforcement exercise led by the North West Zonal Director, Dr. Mudashiru Raheem followed investigation of public complaint against the facility, bordering on dust emission and offensive odour despite notices of compliance concerns issued by NESREA. But an investigation by the zonal office which established violation of the National Environmental (Air Quality Control) Regulations 2014, and National Environmental (Food, Beverages and Tobacco Sector) Regulations 2023, led to the sealing of the facility on Monday, 18 May 2026. The Director General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor expressed deep concern over the reckless attitude of facilities toward the health and well-being of the citizens and environment.  While issuing an order to seal the facility, ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja     Prof Innocent Barikor Determined to close the gap on exclusion, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has taken firm decision to integrate waste collectors into Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) cooperatives.  The cooperative-led model of EPR  is expected to capture small scale businesses from the informal sector into the programme.  Director General of NESREA, Prof Innocent Barikor stated this during a virtual stakeholder sensitization on the cooperative-led EPR model as a formalisation strategy for the informal sector, organised by NESREA for stakeholders in the EPR programme. He said that the initiative aims to make the EPR ecosystem inclusive by bringing informal waste collectors, sorters, and recyclers into the formal system, giving them access to governance structures, financing, social protection, and environmental compliance support. "The cooperative-led EPR model prese...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja As Nigeria joins the global community to mark 2026 Workers' Day, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has pledged improved welfare, conditions of service, and training opportunities for staff. The Director-General/CEO of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor stated this on Friday in commemoration of International Workers' Day with the theme: "Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment". He hailed the staff for their commitment, professionalism, courage, and sacrifice in navigating difficult terrains.  Barikor said: "Today, as Nigeria joins the world to celebrate Workers’ Day, I salute all of you who give meaning to the mandate of the Agency. From Headquarters to Zonal Offices, State Field Offices, Operational Areas, and our laboratories, you have exhibited uncommon resolve to safeguard the Nigerian environment.  "Our job as the police of the environment is certainly not an easy o...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  In its latest crackdown, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has sealed 30 construction sites in the Federal Capital Territory over environmental infractions.  The defaulters violated the provisions of the National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations, 2011, compelling the enforcement team of NESREA to seal the sites on Tuesday.  Briefing newsmen, the Director General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor said though the sector is crucial to national development but must be properly regulated to avoid problems such as improper waste management, building on floodplains and eco-sensitive areas, and uncontrolled dust emissions.  He listed other problems as unsafe handling of materials and chemicals, poor site drainage, erosion and sedimentation, as well as negative impacts on nearby communities. Represented by the Director of Environmental Quality Control, Mr Elijah Udofia...

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 Nig...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Committed to implementing Nigeria's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC's), the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and partners have unveiled carbon management technoogy.  The NDC targets include a 20 percent unconditional reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a 47 percent conditional reduction by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. With the latest collaboration, NESREA alongside Africa Carbon Management Technology & Innovation, Centre of Excellence (ACMTI), and Clean Energy Ministerial Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage Initiative (CEM-CCUS  launched a Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCSU) Platform on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The Director General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor described the project as an important milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and industrial transformation. He ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja In what appeared to be a flop against wildlife trafficking, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has received pangolins from AkwaIbom and Kano States.  To this end, officers of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service handed over one dead and two live pangolins suspected to be part of an illegal wildlife trade, to officials of the agency led by an Assistant Director, Mr. Ismaila Thoulut Anamoh. The pangolins were subsequently taken to Kano Zoological Garden by NESREA officials and received by the representative of the Kano State Zoological and Wildlife Management Agency (KAZOWMA), Hajiya Hafsah Bello Adam.  In Akwa Ibom, a local hunter known as Imo Etim, whose traps caught two pangolins instead of the grass-cutters he intended, promptly notified Prof. Olajumoke Morenikeji of the Pangolin Conservation Guild Nigeria (PCGN).  Although one of the pangolins died, Etim handed over ...