Kayode Shopekan
NIGERIAN Customs Service (NCS) have reportedly arrested two persons in connection with the illegal wildlife trade.
The NCS officials arrested Salif Sanwidi and Sunday Ebeyin over pangolin scales and claws of 1,014kg, valued at about N1.73 billion.
NCS spokesman, Deputy Controller Joseph Attah, said experts from the Department of Forestry, Federal Ministry of Environment, are expected to conduct tests on the pangolin scales to determine the country where the animals were killed.
“We received credible intelligence from some international partner, wildlife justice commission, and swiftly deployed our intelligence operatives with the Strike Force as a SWOT team. This led to the interception of one Mercedes Benz Bus with registration number BGT 256 LG along Kudirat Abiola Way Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. Upon 100 per cent examination, the bus was found to contain 1,009.5kg of pangolin scales and 5kg of pangolin claws totalling 1,014.5kg with duty paid value of N1,728,788,750.00.”
“The two suspects Mr Salif Sanwidi and Mr Sunday Ebenyi, will be charged to court to answer for their crime. For the avoidance of doubt, illegal wildlife trade contravenes Section 63 of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap 45 LFN 2004.
“Nigeria is a signatory to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. As a responsible members of the global community, we cannot allow our nation to be used as a conduit pipe for illegal trade on wildlife. We remain committed to the quarterly meeting with embassies of USA, UK and Germany and welcome on board other international organizations that are joining the fray,” he said.
Recall that three Guineans and a Nigerian were arrested in August this year for illegally trading in pangolin scales, claws and elephant tusks worth N22 billion.
