We have seized 20,000 kilogrammes of illegal wildlife products — NCS Published By: Paul Dada
The Special Wildlife Office of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), says that it has in the last three years intercepted about 20,000 kilograms of illegal wildlife products and live specimens about to be smuggled out of the country.
Disclosing this was the Wildlife Justice Commission, the Officer in charge, NCS Special Wildlife Office, Abimbola Isafiade at the second edition of the Cooperation meeting between the service and the Wildlife Justice Commission. She added that that her office had so far secured 12 convictions on illegal wildlife cases.
She said, “In kilograms, we have seized about 20,000 kilograms of illegal wildlife products with live endangered species, and it is not just about the arrest but the fact that we are going ahead to prosecute these cases and have 12 convictions within three years with many cases pending before the court. From zero to 12 is remarkable and the best step in the right direction. Before 2021, we had zero convictions on Wildlife trafficking from Nigeria, but now, we have 12, which is commendable!
” It’s a major shift, based on the commitment by NCS in developing the capacity of its officers. It is a huge investment which is yielding these visible results”. And it shows that we are committed to the global cause. Hence, we are collaborating with other agencies in this fight because no agency can do it alone. Without all these efforts, we probably won’t be here talking about achievements today. So it is a huge success,” for which NCS, particularly the management and prosecutors, should be commended”.
- We generate 70% of our revenue from Lagos – Customs
- Shuaib replaces Makinde as Ogun Customs Controller
- Lai Mohammed asks Customs to patronise his firm for lobbying jobs
She said beyond the 12 convictions recorded, there were ongoing court cases awaiting final judgment
She stated: “As of today, apart from the 12 convictions, we have a series of ongoing court cases. I’m sure we would secure convictions with stiffer penalties, with the Nigeria Customs Service Act and inclusion of financial crime investigation in NCS Illegal Wildlife cases.
