By Rasheeda Hamidu
A suspected wildlife trafficker declared wanted by a Federal High Court in Lagos has been arrested after several years on the run, according to National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
The suspect, identified as Shamsideen Abubakar, was apprehended through a collaboration involving the Nigeria Customs Service and the Wildlife Justice Commission, NESREA said.
According to the agency, Abubakar had been on the run since September 2021 following an earlier operation that led to the arrest of his associates and the seizure of about 1,009 kilograms of pangolin scales in Lagos.
The agency described the suspect as a key figure in an international wildlife trafficking network linked to the illegal trade in protected species.
In his reaction, Director-General of Agency, Innocent Barikor, said the arrest reflects ongoing efforts to combat wildlife crime and enforce environmental laws.
“NESREA is determined to ensure that Nigeria is not a safe haven for wildlife crime. The Agency and its partners will pursue, arrest and prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law,” Barikor said.
The operation was carried out through coordinated enforcement and intelligence sharing among national and international partners, according to NESREA.
Wildlife trafficking enforcement efforts in Nigeria have increasingly involved collaboration between government agencies and international organisations, including the Wildlife Justice Commission.
Environmental crime and biodiversity protection continue to receive attention in specialised reporting, including coverage by NatureNews.
