A joint operation by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the National Park Services on Tuesday led to the arrest of three Nigerians, Musa Usman, Samila Abdullahi and Saidu Jagaban, for trafficking in endangered wildlife species in Abuja.
According to the agency’s Assistant Director (Press), Nwamaka Ejiofor, the suspects were arrested in different parts of the city for the illegal sale of prohibited exotic birds and wild animals contrary to the provisions of the Endangered Species Act.
Whilst Usman and Abdullahi were found in possession of 15 Senegalese parrots and 1 African grey parrot, Saidu Jagaban was arrested for hawking 3 dead antelopes. The trio are to remain in custody while the investigation continues.
The Director General of NESREA, Prof. Innocent Barikor, reminded Nigerians that trafficking in endangered species remains a crime under Nigerian law, warning that perpetrators will be prosecuted accordingly.
He stressed that all living things play different roles in ensuring biodiversity sustainability, hence the need to protect those classified as endangered species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), to which Nigeria is a party.
