Africa’s major transit hub for ivory export signals strong commitment to thwart trade.
2.5 tonnes of ivory that was crushed in Abuja today
Abuja, Nigeria – 9th January, 2024 In a ground-breaking move to combat the illegal ivory trade and protect its dwindling elephant population, Nigeria has successfully organised its first-ever ivory crush, destroying significant stockpiles of confiscated elephant tusks and worked ivory weighing approximately 2.5 tonnes (2,436.15 kilograms).
The ivory crush, held in the Nigerian capital Abuja, marks a significant 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 (NESREA) in collaboration with the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation (EPIF).
This is all happening three months after Nigeria publicly destroyed about 4 tonnes (3914.08 kilograms) of seized pangolin scales.
"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," said Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, Honourable Minister of State for Environment.
Video of the ivory crush happening in Abuja
"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 and other endangered wildlife,” said Professor Aliyu Jauro, the Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of NESREA.
The illegal ivory trade poses a severe threat to elephant populations across Africa, contributing to a steep decline in numbers of these majestic 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 UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
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.
“The Elephant Protection Initiative is honoured to stand with the Government of Nigeria at today’s ivory crush. The destruction of confiscated elephant ivory in Abuja will not, in itself, put an end to the trafficking of elephant ivory. It will, however, ensure that no one will ever profit from this contraband. When coupled with the recent seizures of ivory and the prosecution and conviction of offenders, it also sends a powerful message that Nigeria does not tolerate this illegal trade, and is taking important steps to protect its remaining elephant population. We look forward to continuing our support to Nigeria with stockpile management and other conservation-related issues.” said John Scanlon AO, the CEO of the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation (EPIF).
EPI Foundation's Ulysse Korogone Assistant Director for Stockpile Management and State Engagement(front middle), and Kiprotich Biwott, Inventory & Technology Lead (front right)
In recent years, Nigeria has emerged as a major hub for the trafficking of ivory, especially to Asia. The government is working to combat this problem, through international collaborations, strengthening law enforcement and public awareness campaigns. Nigeria recently adopted its first National Strategy to Combat Wildlife and Forest Crime and subsequently established the Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force (WLETF) of which NESREA is the operational lead, to address wildlife crime in the country.
“Nigeria is stepping up its game in fighting illegal wildlife trade with more seizures and prosecutions and greater public awareness. The next logical step is to update its outdated legislation and pass a law which was introduced last parliamentary session, but was stalled by the elections. This would greatly help to end its role as a major entrepot for illegal wildlife trade,” said Peter Knights OBE, Founder and CEO of Wild Africa Fund.
Crushed Ivory
There has been a significant increase in the number of seizures of ivory and prosecution of offenders in Nigeria in the past year. In May 2023, two individuals were given a four-year prison sentence for conspiring to possess 839.4 kilograms (kg) of pangolin scales and 145 kg of elephant tusks illegally and a clearing agent was sentenced to a six-month prison term in June for illegally possessing a container full of pangolin scales, elephant ivory, tusks, and bones.
Meanwhile, some of the large seizures of pangolin scales and ivory by the Nigeria Customs Service are still being tendered as evidence for prosecution and they are yet to be handed over to NESREA for public destruction.
Nigeria remains dedicated to implementing further measures to combat wildlife trafficking. The Wildlife Conservation Society (Nigeria Programme) and the EPIF have been working closely with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Environment to prepare a National Elephant Action Plan (NEAP) which will help Nigeria allocate significant resources to protect its remaining elephants, enhance anti-poaching efforts and collaborate with international partners to address the ivory trade crisis. The NEAP will be published later this year.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
Amaka Ejiofor, Assistant Director Press, NESREA. T: +2348037045093 E:amaka.ejiofor@nesrea.gov.ng
Festus Iyorah, Nigeria Representative, Wild Africa Fund. T: +234 816 041 2825 E: festus@wildafricafund.org
Barnaby Phillips, Director of Communications, EPI Foundation.
E: bphillips@elephantprotectioninitiative.org T: +44 777 238 6897
Notes to Editors
Video Resources: Find videos of elephants and the ivory trade here: https://t.ly/s7MP7
About NESREA
NESREA is the designated CITES Enforcement Authority in Nigeria. The agency has the responsibility for enforcing all environmental laws, guidelines, policies, standards and regulations in Nigeria and also to prohibit processes and the use of equipment or technology that undermine environmental quality and to enforce compliance with the provisions of international agreements, protocols, conventions and treaties to which Nigeria is signatory.
About Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation
The Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI) is an alliance of 24 African countries determined to conserve their elephants whilst meeting the aspirations of their people, and the EPI Foundation serves as its secretariat. EPI countries are home to most of Africa’s remaining elephants. They are committed to closing domestic ivory markets, and maintaining the 1989 international ban on the ivory trade. Nigeria joined the EPI in 2018. More information on the EPI can be found at www.elephantprotectioninitiative.org or follow us on social media @elephantprotectioninitiative
About Wild Africa Fund
Wild Africa Fund aims to be Africa’s most effective conservation communicator, inspiring the public support and political will to protect Africa’s wildlife and wild spaces forever. We believe people and wildlife can only survive and thrive together, so we are popularising conservation with a much broader audience than has previously been engaged. By amplifying the voices of African opinion leaders from every field through a powerful network of media partners and diverse programming, we seek to promote domestic wildlife tourism, local conservation projects and the passage and enforcement of effective conservation laws. Through our communications and direct support, we also aim to deliver permanent reductions in wildlife crime, the demand for illegal bushmeat, human/wildlife conflict and habitat loss. More information on Wild Africa Fund can be found at www.wildafricafund.org or follow us on social media @wildafricafund