In a bid to combat illegal ivory trade and protect its dwindling elephant population, the federal government has destroyed stockpiles of confiscated elephant tusks and worked ivory weighing 2.5 tonnes (2,436.15 kilogrammes).
The exercise was spearheaded by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in collaboration with the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation (EPIF) yesterday
The minister of state for environment, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, said the option of outright destruction was aimed at showing that Nigeria was zero tolerant to illegal wildlife trade at any level and to serve as a deterrent to the illicit wildlife traffickers who use Nigeria as their transit route.
On the method of destruction adopted, the director-general of NESREA, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, said the disposal exercise was strictly guided by the provisions of the International Environmental Convention.
He said the outright destruction of the confiscated accumulated specimen is to serve as deterrent to illicit wildlife traffickers, adding that the disposal would decongest the Temporary Holding Facility (THF).
“The destruction of the confiscated ivory is 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,” he said.
