The Nigeria Customs Service, Eastern Marine Command, has achieved a noteworthy milestone in the relentless battle against illicit wildlife trade. The command successfully intercepted a substantial quantity of pangolin scales, elephant tusks, and sacks of used secondhand shoes, collectively valued at N680 million.
This significant seizure underscores the imperative for unified global endeavors to combat the unlawful trafficking of wildlife.
On the 24th of October 2023, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mike Ugbagu, presented these confiscated items. The operation, executed by dedicated officers of the command, led to the interception of 365.4 kg of pangolin scales and elephant tusks, alongside six large sacks of secondhand shoes. The total duty paid value (DPV) of these seized items amounts to Six Hundred And Eighty Million Two Hundred And Ninety Thousand, Four Hundred Naira Only (N680,290,400.00).
These items were seized from various locations within the south-south coastal waterways along Ibaka-Bakasi beach. This accomplishment highlights Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the Convention On International Trade In Endangered Species of Wild Fauna And Flora (CITES).
Comptroller Ugbagu stressed, “These egregious activities not only imperil vulnerable species but also facilitate organized crime and illicit financial flows. One of my primary objectives is to equip our officers with the necessary tools and support to safeguard the Nation’s natural resources and habitat.”
He expressed gratitude for the Nigeria Customs Service’s management, who provided gunboats and logistic boats to the command, significantly bolstering their capability to effectively patrol and secure the south-south coastal waterways and conduct thorough beach inspections.
In recognizing the dedication and professionalism exhibited by his officers during the operation, the Customs Area Controller affirmed the Eastern Marine Command’s enduring commitment to combat wildlife trafficking and protect Nigeria’s invaluable natural heritage. He warned, “This seizure of pangolin scales and elephant tusks sends a stern message to wildlife traffickers in the region that their unlawful activities will not be tolerated, and severe consequences will befall those caught in the act.”
Comptroller Ugbagu emphasized the successful collaboration between enforcement agencies, such as the Nigerian Navy and other organizations operating within the Ibaka-Bakasi beach waterways, as a key factor in this achievement. He reiterated Nigeria’s steadfast dedication as a responsible member of the international community to combat wildlife trafficking and safeguard its diverse biodiversity.
