A suspected wildlife trafficker, Shamsideen Abubakar, who had been on the run for 5 years, has been apprehended in a joint enforcement operation involving the Nationwide Environmental Requirements and Laws Enforcement Company (NESREA), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Wildlife Justice Fee (WJC).
Abubakar, who was beforehand declared needed by the Federal Excessive Court docket in Lagos, is believed to be a key determine in a global wildlife trafficking community. He had evaded arrest since September 2021, following a significant crackdown that led to the arrest of his associates, Sunday Ebenyi and Salif Sandwidi.
That earlier operation, carried out by the WJC and NCS, resulted within the seizure of over 1,000 kilogrammes of pangolin scales within the Ikeja space of Lagos—one of many largest such seizures within the nation, underscoring the size of unlawful wildlife commerce operations linked to Nigeria.
Authorities stated Abubakar’s eventual arrest highlights the persistence of Nigerian legislation enforcement businesses and their worldwide companions in monitoring down suspects concerned in environmental crimes. It additionally displays a sustained, intelligence-driven method to dismantling trafficking networks working throughout borders.
Reacting to the event, the Director-Normal of NESREA, Prof. Harmless Barikor, reiterated the company’s dedication to eradicating wildlife crime within the nation. He said that Nigeria wouldn’t function a protected haven for traffickers, emphasising that offenders can be pursued and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the legislation.
Barikor attributed the success of the operation to robust inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing, and coordinated enforcement efforts. He additionally referred to as on members of the general public to assist authorities by reporting suspicious actions, warning that the period of impunity for wildlife crimes is over.
The arrest is seen as a major blow to already weakened trafficking networks and sends a robust message that arrest warrants will proceed to be enforced, no matter how lengthy suspects stay at massive.
Nigeria has lately intensified its crackdown on wildlife trafficking, against the law that threatens biodiversity, undermines conservation efforts, and violates each nationwide and worldwide rules. Authorities stated the most recent growth reinforces the nation’s zero-tolerance stance and its dedication to defending endangered species.
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
Times Nigeria