FG DESTROYS 2.5 TONES OF STOCKPILES OF CONFISCATED ELEPHANTS TUSKS WORTH ABOUT N9.9B IN ABUJA 09-01-24
By Sadiq Aminu The federal government has destroyed about 2.5 tones of stockpiles of confiscated elephants tusks worth about 9.9 billion naira in Abuja.
The crushing of the elephant tusks was done by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in collaboration with the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation.
The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako said the destruction of the seized items was a resolve to protect the environment, conserve wildlife, and combat the illegal trade.
“ln compliance with CITES Resolution Conf. 9.10 (Rev. CoP15) and Conf, 10.7 (Rev. Cop 15) on disposal of seized and confiscated live and dead wildlife specimen, Nigeria has opted for the outright destruction of these stockpiles through pulverisation of elephant tusks and ivories, while pangolin scales and other skin products were earlier incinerated on 16th October 2023. The option of outright destruction is aimed at showing the entire world that Nigeria is zero tolerant to illegal wildlife trade at any level and to serve as a deterrent to the illicit wildlife traffickers who uses Nigeria as their transit route”
Dr Salako said the ashes of the crushed tusks would be used to construct a monument in remembrance of the elephants that were killed.
The Director General, NESREA, Professor Aliyu Jauro who said illegal wildlife trade is a serious threat to the nation’s natural heritage and global biodiversity, explained that the destruction of the elephant tusks was a strong warning to widelife criminals that illegal wildlife trafficking will not be tolerated.
“the destruction of the confiscated ivory is a tangible step towards stamping out widelife trafficking.we stand united against the illegal trade and our actions today are not only crucial in preserving the majestic elephants for future generations but also in sending a clear message that Nigeria will do whatever it takes to protect our elephants and other endangered wildlife ”
According to the CEO, elephant protection initiative foundation, EPIF, Mr John Scanlon,
“the elephant protection initiative is honoured to stand with the government of Nigeria at today’s ivory crushes. the destruction of confiscated elephants ivory in Abuja will not, in itself, put and end to the trafficking of elephant ivory , it will, however ensure that no one will ever profit from this contraband. we look forward to continuing our support to Nigeria with stockpile management and other conservative related issues ”
A total of about 2.5 tonnes of ivories and elephant tusks specimen Worth about 9.9 billion naria was destroyed through the support of the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) African Fund, the US Embassy, United Nation Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Wild African Fund, other development partners and the Federal Ministry of Environment.