UNODC Concerned Nigeria is Primary Hub for Illicit Wildlife Products

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Tue, Aug 23, 2022 8:49 PM

UNODC Concerned Nigeria is Primary Hub for Illicit Wildlife Products
Bennett Oghifo, This Day
August 23, 2022

There is growing concern that Nigeria, in recent years, has become a
primary transit hub for several illicit wildlife and forest products.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) stated that Nigeria is
notorious in particular for the global illegal trade in pangolin, sourced
primarily from Central Africa, “in spite of efforts by the National
Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the
enforcement authority responsible for the protection of endangered species
of wildlife in Nigeria.”

According to UNODC’s recently launched World Wildlife Crime Report 2020, in
2019 alone, at least 51 tons of pangolin scales seized globally originated
from Nigerian ports compared to only two tons in 2015.  “Indeed, more than
half of all seizures of pangolin scales worldwide could be traced back to
Nigeria in 2019.”

A statement issued by UNODC said, “Moreover, from around 2011, great
volumes of rosewood, locally known as “kosso”, were exported from Nigeria
to Asia. In October 2018, the CITES Standing Committee recommended that
parties suspend commercial trade in kosso from Nigeria until the country
carries out a non-detriment findings assessment for trade in the species.

“Data further suggest an increasing role of Nigeria in the illicit ivory
trade. Despite a global decline in trafficking in ivory since 2011, Nigeria
has been identified in a growing number of incidents as part of the illegal
trade chain, with 5,629 kg of ivory being seized in 2009-2011, compared to
11,769 kg in the period 2012-2014, to 12,211 kg in the period 2015-2017.”

The Nigerian Government, UNODC said “must be commended for its political
will towards tackling wildlife crime. The National Environmental Standards
and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the Enforcement Authority
responsible for the protection of endangered species of wildlife, has made
efforts in resolving some of the regulatory and policy challenges
confronting wildlife crime in the country, such as adopting the Nigerian
Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act of 2004
and its 2016 amendment which meet the requirements to successfully
implement CITES in the country. The Government is also currently reviewing
its National Ivory Action Plan (NIAP) in line with CITES recommendations.
The Government also recently requested support from the International
Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) to conduct a comprehensive
assessment of the national preventive and criminal justice response to
wildlife and forest crime, as well as a corruption risk assessment for
these sectors that will be conducted by UNODC.”

The UNODC said, “To comprehensively tackle wildlife and forest crime, the
Federal Government, the Government of Germany and UNODC came together on
World Elephant Day to announce a new partnership aimed to strengthen
Nigeria’s response to the trafficking of wildlife and forestry products.
The partnership includes  the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Nigeria
Customs Service, NESREA, various law enforcement agencies and civil society
organizations to improve data-collection capacity and understanding of the
driving factors of these trends, enhance the relevant policy and legal
framework, strengthen law enforcement and border control agencies in their
capabilities to exchange intelligence on shipments, disrupt trafficking
flows and networks, cooperate internationally with their counterparts in
source and destination countries, and to investigate and prosecute wildlife
and forest crime offences.”

UNODC’s Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Oliver Stolpe, stressed in his
remarks the threat that wildlife trafficking poses to nature and the
biodiversity of our planet. He observed that when wild animals are poached
from their natural habitat, butchered and sold illegally, the potential for
transmission of zoonotic diseases, such as COVID-19, from animals to humans
– is increased.

H.E. Mrs. Birgitt Ory, Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria, remarking on the
launch of the project stated: “Together with UNODC we seek to support the
Nigerian government in the important fight against trafficking in illicit
wildlife products. We have a shared interest in preserving nature’s riches
for future generations”.

In his goodwill message, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, Director General/CEO of the
National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency
(NESREA), expressed optimism that “the successful implementation of the
project will reduce the illicit trade in endangered species of wildlife to
the barest minimum and Nigeria will regain her good image in the CITES
community.”

The Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, represented by
the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr. Bolatito Obisesan acknowledged in a
keynote remark that the project “will further add value to government’s
effort in combating illicit activities that are detrimental to wildlife
conservation in Nigeria.”

While thanking the Government of Germany and UNODC for initiating the
project, the Minister gave assurance of “undoubtful continuous support of
the project for the period it will last for the Nigerian government.”

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/08/23/unodc-concerned-nigeria-is-primary-hub-for-illicit-wildlife-products/

UNODC Concerned Nigeria is Primary Hub for Illicit Wildlife Products Bennett Oghifo, This Day August 23, 2022 There is growing concern that Nigeria, in recent years, has become a primary transit hub for several illicit wildlife and forest products. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) stated that Nigeria is notorious in particular for the global illegal trade in pangolin, sourced primarily from Central Africa, “in spite of efforts by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the enforcement authority responsible for the protection of endangered species of wildlife in Nigeria.” According to UNODC’s recently launched World Wildlife Crime Report 2020, in 2019 alone, at least 51 tons of pangolin scales seized globally originated from Nigerian ports compared to only two tons in 2015. “Indeed, more than half of all seizures of pangolin scales worldwide could be traced back to Nigeria in 2019.” A statement issued by UNODC said, “Moreover, from around 2011, great volumes of rosewood, locally known as “kosso”, were exported from Nigeria to Asia. In October 2018, the CITES Standing Committee recommended that parties suspend commercial trade in kosso from Nigeria until the country carries out a non-detriment findings assessment for trade in the species. “Data further suggest an increasing role of Nigeria in the illicit ivory trade. Despite a global decline in trafficking in ivory since 2011, Nigeria has been identified in a growing number of incidents as part of the illegal trade chain, with 5,629 kg of ivory being seized in 2009-2011, compared to 11,769 kg in the period 2012-2014, to 12,211 kg in the period 2015-2017.” The Nigerian Government, UNODC said “must be commended for its political will towards tackling wildlife crime. The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the Enforcement Authority responsible for the protection of endangered species of wildlife, has made efforts in resolving some of the regulatory and policy challenges confronting wildlife crime in the country, such as adopting the Nigerian Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act of 2004 and its 2016 amendment which meet the requirements to successfully implement CITES in the country. The Government is also currently reviewing its National Ivory Action Plan (NIAP) in line with CITES recommendations. The Government also recently requested support from the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the national preventive and criminal justice response to wildlife and forest crime, as well as a corruption risk assessment for these sectors that will be conducted by UNODC.” The UNODC said, “To comprehensively tackle wildlife and forest crime, the Federal Government, the Government of Germany and UNODC came together on World Elephant Day to announce a new partnership aimed to strengthen Nigeria’s response to the trafficking of wildlife and forestry products. The partnership includes the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Nigeria Customs Service, NESREA, various law enforcement agencies and civil society organizations to improve data-collection capacity and understanding of the driving factors of these trends, enhance the relevant policy and legal framework, strengthen law enforcement and border control agencies in their capabilities to exchange intelligence on shipments, disrupt trafficking flows and networks, cooperate internationally with their counterparts in source and destination countries, and to investigate and prosecute wildlife and forest crime offences.” UNODC’s Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Oliver Stolpe, stressed in his remarks the threat that wildlife trafficking poses to nature and the biodiversity of our planet. He observed that when wild animals are poached from their natural habitat, butchered and sold illegally, the potential for transmission of zoonotic diseases, such as COVID-19, from animals to humans – is increased. H.E. Mrs. Birgitt Ory, Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria, remarking on the launch of the project stated: “Together with UNODC we seek to support the Nigerian government in the important fight against trafficking in illicit wildlife products. We have a shared interest in preserving nature’s riches for future generations”. In his goodwill message, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, Director General/CEO of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), expressed optimism that “the successful implementation of the project will reduce the illicit trade in endangered species of wildlife to the barest minimum and Nigeria will regain her good image in the CITES community.” The Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr. Bolatito Obisesan acknowledged in a keynote remark that the project “will further add value to government’s effort in combating illicit activities that are detrimental to wildlife conservation in Nigeria.” While thanking the Government of Germany and UNODC for initiating the project, the Minister gave assurance of “undoubtful continuous support of the project for the period it will last for the Nigerian government.” https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/08/23/unodc-concerned-nigeria-is-primary-hub-for-illicit-wildlife-products/