By Femi Oyelola
As Nigerians joined the global community to celebrate World Environment Day on June 5, 2024 climate change and environmental activists have expressed displeasure at the high rate at which endangered species are being gradually wiped out in the country.
They are not crying wolf. Rather, the reality on the ground is that daily, these endangered species are killed or captured for illegal exportation, and the perpetrators, from findings, are smiling to the banks as they are raking in billions of Naira from the illegal activity.
Accordingly, concerned citizens are crying at the top of their voices for urgent action to mitigate the unfortunate situation.
And it is for that reason that they have hailing the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), whose Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone “B” Kaduna, on April 25, 2024, intercepted two separate consignments containing donkey bones and meat with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3 billion.
The Comptroller of the Command, Mr. Ahmadu Shuaibu, while showcasing the scorecard of the zone said operatives of the Unit acting on credible intelligence intercepted one truck with Registration Number GGE 526 XL along Sokoto/Gusau Road in Zamfara State conveying illicit goods which were brought to Kaduna for further examination.
He explained that upon careful examination, the truck was discovered to be conveying 750 sacks of donkey bones.
“The DPV for the donkey bones was estimated at N2,363,500,000.00 (Two Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty-Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira only).
“Again on May 5, 2024, the operatives of the Unit intercepted Two (2) Canter Trucks carrying dried donkey meat along Kontagora-Tegina Road in Niger State.
“After 100 percent physical examination, the trucks were found to contain 860 sacks of dried donkey meat. Three (3) suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure.”
The Comptroller disclosed that four suspects were arrested during the seizure, adding that it is of great importance to intercept the illegal produce of donkeys perpetrated by some unscrupulous elements with no regard for the lives and preservation of endangered species like the donkeys that are near extinction.
The seizures have left many Nigerians gasping because donkeys from ages have always been domestic animals seen as friends of man but the demand for their meat and bones especially in some Asian countries has turned them into endangered species that need to be protected.
Shuaibu, who is barely two months in charge of the Command was at it again to show the massive fight against the illegal exportation of the endangered species.
On June 5, 2024, which is World Environmental Day, he gathered newsmen at the Command for a surprise when he announced the seizures of Pangolin scales with a Duty Paid Value (DPV), of N3,955 billion.
According to him, it is part of their mandate not to allow the illegal trading of endangered wildlife species and other smuggling activities to thrive in the country.
A foremost conservationist, Mustapha Kilani, said his joy knew no bounds because of the feat achieved by the Customs Service.
He explained that pangolins are more prevalent in the Middle Belt and South-West of Nigeria because both regions have a higher concentration of termites — the primary food for pangolins.
“We have confirmed a high number of pangolins presence in Middle-Belt states like Kogi, Kwara, Benue, Niger, and Taraba, where Nigeria’s largest national park Gashaka-Gumti is situated,” Mr Aina said.
“In the southwest, they are regularly cited in Omo Forest Reserve, Ogun State; Oluwa Forest Reserve, Ondo State; and Old Oyo Forest Reserve in Oyo State.”
However, these Pangolins are killed and trafficked in great numbers because their scales are used in traditional Asian medicine, their meat is considered a luxury food in many parts of Asia, and their skins and other parts are used for various purposes such as fashion.
As a result, there is a rampant illegal global trade in pangolins and their parts. The demand comes principally from China and Vietnam. Rapid loss and deterioration of available habitat places added pressure on the dwindling numbers of remaining pangolins.
Corroborating this, Comptroller Shuaibu stressed that the pangolin species is one of the endangered species that is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
He said it is instructive to know that Nigeria is a signatory to the CITES Convention and all forms of trading in this species are illegal; adding that the Nigeria Customs Service will continue to partner with CITES to forestall the identified species from going into extinction.
Shuaibu disclosed that operatives from the Command acting on intelligence information stormed a hideout known as (slaughterhouse) in the suburb of Zuru Town in Kebbi State on Friday, May 24, 2024.
The team, according to him, discovered and evacuated sacks of pangolin scales which were transported to the HQ of FOU Zone ‘B’ in Kaduna, where after careful examination and counting, the pangolin scales weighed 445.45kg with a Duty Paid Value.
He explained that one suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure while the main suspect is currently at large.
The Comptroller further explained that the unit in collaboration with other sister agencies will not rest on its oars until the main suspect is arrested and brought to book. “The offence contravenes Section 55 (1) paragraph C and I of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023.”
“The success of this operation lies in robust intelligence sharing between the NCS and Wildlife Office and the resilience by operatives of the Unit to leverage and utilize the coordinates given to them to make this arrest,” he said.
He also said that, from empirical evidence, those involved in the illegal trafficking of endangered species are hiding under it to launder money used in procuring drugs, arms, and other illegal merchandise.
Shuaibu added: “You can imagine the havoc this may have caused if it had escaped the eagle eyes of our operatives.”
The Comptroller called on the general public to continue to cooperate and stand with the NCS in its fight against smuggling. “We must work together to salvage this country and to actualize the dream of our founding fathers.”
He reiterated that the unit will continue to enforce the Federal Government policies in line with international best practices, no matter the campaign of calumny against the Service.
Reacting to this, the Acting Executive Director of African Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Mr. Leo Atakpu, said the seizures by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone “B” Kaduna is a good show of a security agency that is alert to its responsibilities and it is important that Nigerians know that illegal wildlife trade has long been banned by the Federal Government of Nigeria and also contrary to the provisions of the Convention on International Trade to trade on endangered species of wildlife like the Wild Fauna, especially species like the Pangolin.
He said that it is criminal, bad, and condemnable and would like to call on the Nigeria Authorities now that the Customs have seized the illegal exports, to hand over all the suspects to the Police who will do the needful, file charges against them and let them face the wrath of the law.
“Today 5th of June, the whole world is celebrating ‘World Environment Day,’ and citizens of Nigeria cannot be found wanting or breaking the law by destroying wild fauna in our environment.
“As environmentalists, we do not want the destruction of the wild Flora and Fauna, they must be protected, particularly the endangered species.
“If all of these Faunas like the Pangolin are preserved they become a source of Tourism attraction that can also generate revenue for the Government.
“So we all must help to preserve the environment, help to protect the Flora and the Fauna because God created the environment for Man to have a good and beautiful environment. So it is not for Man to continually destroy the environment even though we dominate the Earth but it doesn’t mean that we should just carry bulldozers and caterpillars and start destroying everything we see, or killing all the animals around.
“I don’t think that is why God created us. He created domestic animals which we all know, even the ones for eating but there are those special ones that should be protected.
“So those endangered species that are almost facing extinction, the Government has even placed a law that all citizens must not violate it, even the International Trade recognizes it and if the offenders are not apprehended here in Nigeria, they will be apprehended over there and forced to face the wrath of the law,” he said.
Similarly, the Executive Director, of Bridge That Gap Initiative, Gloria Kasang Bulus, lamented that she is deeply concerned about the recent seizure of the massive consignment of pangolin scales in Nigeria.
Pangolins according to her, are one of the most heavily trafficked mammals in the world and are facing serious threats of extinction due to poaching and habitat loss.
The seizure of this consignment, worth nearly N4 billion, is a significant blow to the illegal wildlife trade.
Gloria observed that Pangolin scales are highly prized in traditional Chinese medicine, fueling a lucrative black market that is devastating pangolin populations across Africa and Asia.
“From the perspective of a climate change activist, I see this incident as another example of how the illegal wildlife trade is exacerbating environmental degradation and biodiversity loss – both major contributors to the climate crisis. Pangolins play important roles in the ecosystem, and their disappearance can have cascading effects on the delicate balance of nature.
“Furthermore, the illegal wildlife trade is often linked to organized crime and corruption, undermining efforts to promote sustainable development and environmental conservation. Stronger enforcement, tighter regulations, and greater international cooperation are needed to combat this scourge.
“As a climate change activist, I would urge the Nigerian government and the international community to take robust action to protect pangolins and other endangered species.
“This includes increasing penalties for wildlife trafficking, investing in anti-poaching patrols and intelligence gathering, and promoting sustainable livelihoods for local communities that depend on healthy ecosystems.
“Ultimately, safeguarding the planet’s biodiversity is crucial in the fight against climate change. Tackling the illegal wildlife trade is an important piece of this broader puzzle.
“I commend the Nigerian Customs Service for this seizure and hope it serves as a wake-up call to strengthen efforts to conserve our natural heritage,” she said.
