The war against illegal wildlife trafficking appears to have taken a new turn as the Federal Government of Nigeria unveiled an elephant sculpture from pulverised wildlife stockpiles.
Built using almost six tonnes of seized animal hoards, the monument, dubbed the “Giwa Statue of Renewed Hope” by the country’s State Minister for the Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, represents the government’s strict stance against any kind of wildlife crime.
Nigeria, like many other countries across the globe, is facing the issue of wildlife preservation. So, in its wisdom, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the body in charge of enforcing all environmental laws, including wildlife protection, in the country, collaborated with other sister agencies of the government, like the Nigerian Customs Service, which led to several rest periods between the years 2011 and 2023.
Among the materials seized from these suspects and held by NESREA were 185 bags containing 3,991 kg of pangolin scales, 11 bags containing crocodiles and other classified reptiles, 102 kg of leopard skins and feathers, and 2,500 kg of ivory. In October 2023, these items were incinerated by the regulator, followed by the crushing of the confiscated ivory in January 2024.
According to Dr. Salako, this action shows how dedicated the government is to tackle the difficult problems of both domestic biodiversity and global conservation efforts, as well as safeguarding designated endangered species.
“We need wildlife for our survival, wellbeing, and prosperity as they maintain ecological balance, maintain the food chain, and keep us connected to nature,” he said during the unveiling ceremony of the sculpture in Abuja.
Therefore, to preserve the proposed balance, the minister urged all well-meaning Nigerians to assist the government’s efforts to combat wildlife trafficking by offering intelligence, discouraging the poaching of animals, and refusing to use goods that are not sourced ethically.
In his address at the event, the Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor, acknowledged that the display of the elephant sculpture symbolises the unwavering commitment by the government to abolish all forms of obnoxious wildlife trading at all levels.
“It is proof to CITES communities that Nigeria has not relented in carrying out its obligations to the international environmental conventions and promotion of eco-tourism,” he said.
By Etta Michael Bisong, Abuja
