The
Nigerian government took a step in enforcing the global ban on illegal ivory
trade as it seized dozens of elephant tusks illegally imported into the
country.
Every
year, hundreds of African elephants and rhinoceros are poached and killed for
their tusks in the illegal multi-million dollar trade, with most shipped to
Asian and Western countries, which endangers African elephants.
Last
week, European and American conservation leaders called on governments
worldwide to support African nations to put an end to the trade in elephant
ivory.
At the
69th meeting of CITES ( the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in Geneva, ivory trade was a major
topic.
On
Wednesday, the Nigeria Customs Service confirmed the seizure of about 55
calibre of elephant tusks along the Nigeria-Cameroon boarder.
Francis
Adetoye, the Area Controller in charge of Adamawa and Taraba Commands, made the
disclosure at a press briefing in Yola.
Mr.
Adetoye said that the success was recorded following a joint anti-smuggling and
drugs patrol in collaboration with sister agencies in the state.
“On
November 20, the command’s anti-smuggling team successfully seized 55 huge size
of elephant tusks being smuggling into Nigeria from a neighbouring country,” he
said.
It is
not clear if Nigeria was the final destination of the ivory or just a transit
point. Mr. Adetoye did not also indicate if the importers were arrested and
what will happen to the seized tusks.
The
official also spoke on other seizures made by the Customs.
“From
January to November, the command recorded 43 seizures with the total Duty Paid
Value of N119.77 million naira.
“The
seizures include, foreign rice, fairly used vehicles and other used textiles,’’
he said.
He emphasized
that the command has given special focus on seizure of rice with the aim of
reinforcing federal government’s commitment toward encouraging local production
of the commodity.
Culled from: Premium
Times
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