From Idu Jude, Abuja
A joint operation by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the National Park Service led to the arrest of three individuals—Musa Usman, Samila Abdullahi, and Saidu Jagaban—in Abuja on Tuesday for trafficking endangered wildlife species. The arrests, announced in a NESREA statement, targeted illegal trade in violation of the Endangered Species Act.
Usman and Abdullahi were apprehended with 15 Senegalese Parrots and one African Grey Parrot, while Jagaban was caught hawking three dead antelopes.
The suspects remain in custody pending further investigation. NESREA Director-General Prof. Innocent Barikor reiterated that trafficking endangered species is a crime under Nigerian law, emphasising prosecution for violators.
Barikor underscored the importance of protecting endangered species to maintain biodiversity, as outlined in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory.
“All living things play different roles in ensuring biodiversity sustainability,” he said, warning against illegal wildlife trade.