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Nigeria Burns Massive Seized Wildlife Products
Nigeria Burns Massive Seized Wildlife Products
By: Michael Mike
Nigerian government on Monday publicly destroyed a substantial quantity of seized wildlife products including pangolin scales alongside leopard, python and crocodile skins for the first time in the nation’s history.
This is perhaps a message that the government was ready to combat wildlife trafficking and protect the nation’s biodiversity.
The incineration event took place in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, with representatives from various government agencies, local and international environmental NGOs, and wildlife conservation experts in attendance.
The incineration was done by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in collaboration with the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) Foundation, with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) at an occasion where they methodically reduced a total of 3914.08 kilogrammes (nearly 4 tonnes) of seized pangolin scales and 110 kilogrammes of skins from protected species including leopard, python and crocodile to ashes.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Environment. Dr. Iziaq Salako said: “We gather here today to bear witness to a critical moment in the battle to protect our planet’s precious biodiversity. These seized items represent the past we leave behind, but the destruction signifies the future we are determined to build for our planet. The destruction of these seized items is a powerful statement of our resolve to protect our environment, conserve our wildlife, and combat the illegal trade that drives species to the brink of extinction.”
On his part, the Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of NESREA, Professor Aliyu Jauro said: “The illegal wildlife trade is a serious threat to our natural heritage and global biodiversity. Nigeria is committed to playing its part in addressing this crisis. By destroying these pangolin scales alongside leopard, python and crocodile skins, we send a strong message that illegal wildlife trafficking will not be tolerated, and we will take every measure necessary to protect our unique ecosystems and endangered species.”
Pangolins are among the most trafficked mammals in the world, partly because their scales are in great demand for use in traditional medicine in Asia, where their meat is also considered a delicacy. As pangolin populations in Asia have declined, shipments from Africa have greatly increased to meet soaring demand.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix I lists all eight species of pangolins (four in Asia and four in Africa), giving them the highest level of legal protection available. However, the unlawful trade in pangolin parts has brought these scaly anteaters dangerously close to extinction. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species presently lists two of the four pangolin species found in Africa as Endangered, which indicates that they are at extremely high risk of going extinct in the wild.
Nigeria has emerged as a source and major transit hub for the trafficking of pangolin scales to Asia. According to the Wildlife Justice Commission, 55 percent of pangolin scale seizures worldwide between 2016 and 2019 were linked to Nigeria. By extension, a team of conservationists led by the University of Cambridge recently examined pangolin product seizures connected to Nigeria and discovered that shipments of pangolin products that were seized and reported by law enforcement officials between 2010 and September 2021 totaled 190, 407 kg, which came from at least 800,000 to as many as a million dead pangolins.
Director of Stockpile Management at the EPI Foundation, Ruth Musgrave said:
“Nigeria’s decision to incinerate seized pangolin scales and other skins is a shining example of a nation taking proactive measures to protect its natural heritage and contribute to the global fight against wildlife crime.”
Nigerian authorities recognize the urgency of protecting this species and have taken significant steps to address the trafficking of pangolins through its borders, including
adopting its first National Strategy to Combat Wildlife and Forest Crime. Subsequently, the government has also established the Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force (WLETF) of which NESREA is the operational lead, working closely with the Federal Ministry of Environment to address wildlife crime in the country.
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of seizures of pangolin scales and prosecution of offenders in Nigeria. The Nigeria Customs Service said that it seized 1,613 tonnes of pangolin scales in 2022 alone and detained 14 people. In May 2023, two individuals were given a four-year prison sentence for conspiring to possess 839.4 kg of pangolin scales and 145 kg of elephant tusks illegally and a clearing agent was sentenced to a six-month prison term in June for illegally possessing a container full of pangolin scales, elephant ivory, tusks, and bones.
In July, a Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced four foreigners to six years in prison for wildlife trafficking.
The Nigerian government, also through NESREA, uses the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act 2016 and the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade) Regulations 2011 to tackle wildlife crime.
Founder and CEO of Wild Africa Fund, Peter Knights OBE, has this to say on the war on wildlife trafficking in the country,
“Credit to Nigeria for taking this step towards upping its game by publicly destroying these seized products. Now Nigeria urgently needs to update its outdated wildlife laws by introducing and passing the new wildlife legislation introduced last session, but delayed due to the elections. This would be the next step in a comprehensive response to reduce wildlife crime.”
Environmental organisations and wildlife advocates have praised Nigeria’s actions, hailing them as a positive step toward curbing the illegal wildlife trade. They have called for continued cooperation between government agencies, civil society, and international partners to strengthen enforcement efforts and raise awareness about the importance of preserving biodiversity.
Nigeria Burns Massive Seized Wildlife Products
Boko Haram beheads women found with charms, accuses them of shirk in Gwoza
By: Zagazola Makama
Fighters of the Boko Haram faction loyal to Ali Ngulde have beheaded two women in the Mandara Mountain area of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State after accusing them of engaging in shirk (idolatry).
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the victims were apprehended by the terrorists who alleged they were found with charms (layu) during a search around its settlements.
In the video the insurgents claimed the charms found on the women were evidence of forbidden practices and immediately subjected them to the faction’s makeshift trial system.
They accused the two women of practising shirk after they found some charms on them. The terrorists took them to a secluded part of the mountains and executed them after the so-called trial,” the source said.
He added that the execution was carried out publicly in the presence of other fighters and people to instill fear and enforce obedience to the faction’s doctrines.
Zagazola reports that the Ali Ngulde faction has intensified punitive measures in recent months, targeting individuals accused of sorcery and spying while some were killed for attempting to defect..
Boko Haram beheads women found with charms, accuses them of shirk in Gwoza
NSCDC intercepts diverted Yobe government tractors, exposes alleged sabotage ring in ministry
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Yobe have intercepted two government-owned tractors allegedly being smuggled out of the state for illegal sale, uncovering what sources describe as an “internal sabotage network” within the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the tractors, part of Governor Mai Mala Buni’s agricultural support programme, were reportedly diverted by officials who have long been suspected of selling government-owned farm machinery to neighbouring states.
It was gathered that the latest incident occurred on Oct. 22 when NSCDC personnel intercepted two tractors being moved from an estate along the bypass in Damaturu and headed towards the Nayinawa axis, allegedly en route out of the state.
A security source said that the tractors bore clear government insignia, leaving no doubt about their ownership. However, more than one month after the interception, no official from the Ministry of Agriculture including the Commissioner, Permanent Secretary or any departmental director, has stepped forward to officially claim the machinery or explain the circumstances surrounding the attempted diversion.
“These tractors carry bold government identification. Despite that, no authorised official has come to claim them or provide documentation. Instead, we have seen strong behind-the-scenes pressure to release them quietly,” the source said.
According to the source, the NSCDC officer who made the arrest insisted that all parties involved must appear to provide explanations before the tractors could be released. His refusal to bow to pressure allegedly angered influential interests both within the Corps and in the state bureaucracy.
Zagazola gathered that the officer was subsequently transferred out of Yobe State in what insiders described as an attempt to “bury the case and silence resistance”.
Investigations further revealed that this was not the first diversion of agricultural machinery under the state’s empowerment scheme. Some tractors were reportedly smuggled and sold in a neighbouring state months earlier, with no internal accountability action taken.
The diversion of the tractors undermines Governor Buni’s vision of strengthening mechanised farming, boosting food production and mitigating food shortages in Yobe.
A senior agricultural stakeholder, who pleaded anonymity, said: This is pure economic sabotage. These tractors were procured to support farmers and strengthen food security. Diverting them for personal gain is not just theft it is an attack on the state’s development.”
Zagazola reports that the tractors remain in NSCDC custody pending official claim and clarifications. Both the NSCDC and the Ministry of Agriculture have not issued public statements on the development as at the time of filing this report.
NSCDC intercepts diverted Yobe government tractors, exposes alleged sabotage ring in ministry
DSS arrests notorious bandit in Bauchi village, recovers cash and ammunition
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have apprehended a notorious bandit in Bojinji Village on the outskirts of Bauchi during a surprise raid, recovering millions of naira in cash and a large cache of ammunition.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect had relocated to Bauchi from Zamfara State, claiming to be fleeing persecution, and had settled in the community with his family. Bauchi has been a preferred destination for people affected by conflicts in neighbouring states, but security operatives say some criminal elements exploit this pattern to mask their activities.
The raid, carried out without prior warning, caught residents by surprise. “The DSS traced the suspect’s illicit wealth and movements before executing the operation,” a security source said.
Investigations revealed that the suspect was known locally for his lavish lifestyle, spending entire days drinking at Unguwar Yelwan Angas and buying alcohol for others, but no one suspected him of criminal activity until the DSS intervention.
Security officials have urged community members to assist security agencies by reporting suspicious individuals, particularly those whose lifestyle appears inconsistent with their means, as such vigilance is critical to preventing crimes and exposing criminal networks.
Security sources have confirmed that further investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the bandit’s operations and any accomplices within the state.
DSS arrests notorious bandit in Bauchi village, recovers cash and ammunition
Boko Haram beheads women found with charms, accuses them of shirk in Gwoza
NSCDC intercepts diverted Yobe government tractors, exposes alleged sabotage ring in ministry
I performed over 73 mass burials of Christians; I buried 501 in one village, and they say there is no genocide against Christians? – Ezekiel Dacho
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