NESREA Arrests Fugitive Wildlife Trafficker After 5 Years

Shamsideen Abubakar, a fugitive wildlife trafficker, was apprehended by Nigerian authorities after five years of evasion. The arrest was part of a coordinated operation led by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in September 2021, which also involved the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC).

During this operation, authorities seized 1,009.50 kilograms of pangolin scales in the Ikeja area of Lagos. Nwamaka Ejiofor, Assistant Director of Press at NESREA, stated that the arrest reflects the sustained commitment of Nigerian authorities and international partners to combat wildlife crime.

Prof. Innoc Barikor, NESREA's Director General, emphasized that Nigeria will not become a safe haven for wildlife crime and that the agency will continue to pursue and prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law. The operation demonstrates a multi-agency approach to dismantling trafficking networks and protecting biodiversity.