The Federal Government, on Tuesday, organised its first-ever ivory crush, destroying significant stockpiles of confiscated elephant tusks and ivory, weighing approximately 2.5 tonnes (2,436kg).
It said this was part of moves to combat the illegal ivory trade and protect the dwindling elephant population in Nigeria.
The ivory crush was held in Abuja, as it marked a milestone in the country’s efforts to curb the illegal ivory trade and conserve its few hundred remaining elephants.
The initiative was spearheaded by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency in collaboration with the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation.
This happened three months after the Federal Government publicly destroyed about four tonnes (3914.08kg) of seized pangolin scales.
Commenting on the development, the Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said, “We are proud to stand at the forefront of the fight against the illegal ivory trade.
“Today’s ivory crush is a symbol of Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation and the protection of our natural heritage. By destroying these confiscated ivory stockpiles, we send a strong message that wildlife trafficking will not be tolerated in our country.
“Nigeria is taking a firm stance, and we call on the global community to join hands in eradicating this illicit trade that threatens the very existence of our elephants.”
On his part, the Director-General, NESREA, Aliyu Jauro, said the destruction of the confiscated ivory was a tangible step towards stamping out wildlife trafficking.
“We stand united against the illegal ivory trade, and our actions today are not only crucial in preserving the majestic elephants for future generations but also in sending a clear message that Nigeria will do whatever it takes to protect our elephants and other endangered wildlife,” he stated.
The illegal ivory trade poses a severe threat to elephant populations across Africa, contributing to a steep decline in the numbers of these creatures and fueling organised crime.
Tens of thousands of elephants are killed each year for their tusks, despite a ban on the international trade in ivory since 1989 by the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
The most recent African Elephant Status Report estimates that about 415,000 elephants remain in Africa today, compared to over 1.3 million elephants found in the continent in 1979. As few as 400 remain today in Nigeria.
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