The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced on Friday that it had arrested three suspects for their alleged involvement in the illegal export of elephant tusks to Asia, News About Nigeria reports.
The arrests were made at different locations in Lagos between January 25 and February 6, 2024.
The suspects are accused of facilitating the sale and export of five pieces of elephant tusks, weighing 25.35 kg and valued at approximately $16,000 (equivalent to N23,520,000).
The Customs Special Wildlife Office and the Customs Police Unit conducted the operation in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission.
Nigeria is actively working to protect its dwindling elephant population from rampant wildlife traffickers.
Illegal wildlife export is in violation of the Endangered Species Act and the Nigeria Customs Service Act.
Over the past three decades, Nigeria’s elephant population has declined from an estimated 1,500 to less than 400 due to poaching for ivory, habitat loss, and human-elephant conflict.
Assistant Comptroller Abim Isafiade, in charge of the Nigeria Customs Service Special Wildlife Office, emphasised the commitment to ending the illegal wildlife trade.
He mentioned the recent destruction of 2.5 tonnes of seized elephant tusks valued at over N9.9 billion ($11.2 million) on January 9, 2024.
Isafiade stressed that illegal wildlife trade is a criminal offence punishable by law, and the NCS will continue to support global efforts to combat wildlife crime.
The suspects will face charges in court once investigations are concluded.
Despite international bans on the trade of ivory, tens of thousands of elephants are killed annually for their tusks.
