WANTED WILDLIFE TRAFFICKER ARRESTED IN LAGOS JOINT SECURITY OPERATION

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A fugitive wildlife trafficker previously declared wanted by the Federal High Court in Lagos has been arrested in a coordinated enforcement operation involving the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the Nigeria Customs Service, and the Wildlife Justice Commission.

The suspect, identified as a key figure in an international wildlife trafficking network, had been on the run since September 2021 after evading arrest following earlier enforcement actions.

According to NESREA, his escape followed a joint operation that previously led to the arrest of his associates and the seizure of 1,009.50 kilograms of pangolin scales in the Ikeja area of Lagos State.

In a statement signed by Assistant Director (Press), Nwamaka Ejiofor, the agency described the arrest as a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against wildlife crime.

The statement noted that the suspect, identified as Shamsideen Abubakar, was apprehended nearly five years after his alleged involvement in large-scale trafficking and almost two years after being declared wanted by the Federal High Court.

“Shamsideen Abubakar’s arrest… demonstrates the commitment of Nigeria’s law enforcement and NGO partners like the Wildlife Justice Commission to conduct long-term investigations with a multi-dimensional operational approach,” the statement read.

NESREA said the operation highlights Nigeria’s determination to dismantle transnational wildlife trafficking networks and enforce both national and international environmental laws.

Director General of NESREA, Ibrahim Goni Barikor, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring Nigeria does not serve as a safe haven for wildlife criminals.

“NESREA is determined to ensure that Nigeria is not a safe haven for wildlife crime… we will pursue, arrest, and prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law,” he said.

He added that the success of the operation was made possible through intelligence sharing, strategic partnerships, and joint enforcement efforts among security agencies and international partners.

Authorities also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities, warning that the era of impunity in wildlife trafficking is over.