Nigeria Takes a Stance Against Wildlife Trafficking by Destroying Elephant Tusks Worth $11.2 Million

In a landmark action aimed at combating wildlife trafficking and preserving the rapidly declining elephant population, Nigeria has recently carried out the destruction of a massive haul of seized elephant tusks. On Tuesday, 2.5 tonnes of elephant tusks, valued at over 9.9 billion naira (approximately $11.2 million), were crushed by the Nigerian authorities in the capital, Abuja.

Over the last thirty years, Nigeria's elephant population has seen a catastrophic decline, plummeting from an estimated 1,500 elephants to less than 400. This dramatic decrease has been attributed to rampant poaching driven by the lucrative ivory trade, as well as shrinking habitats and increased instances of human-elephant conflict that have had devastating effects on the elephant communities.

The Minister of State for Environment, Mr. Iziaq Salako, made it known that the government’s decision to pulverize the seized tusks is not just an act of disposal but also a conscious step towards raising awareness. The crushed ivory will be repurposed to build a national park monument that will stand as a stark and symbolic reminder of the elephants' crucial role within the ecosystem, and the need to safeguard these majestic creatures.

This is not Nigeria's first public destruction of wildlife contraband. It follows a similar exercise carried out in October of the previous year when Nigerian officials destroyed $1.4 million worth of pangolin scales, signaling a pattern of increased efforts to combat wildlife trafficking within the country.

Despite a ban on the international ivory trade implemented in 1989 by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), of which Nigeria is a signatory, the country has been identified as a significant transit hub for the illicit trafficking of wildlife parts, including tusks and pangolin scales, destined mostly for Asian markets.

However, in recent years, Nigeria has been more assertive in its counter-smuggling operations. This has seen successful collaborations with officials from Britain, the United States, Germany, as well as various international organizations. These joint efforts culminated in Nigeria’s largest seizure of illegal wildlife parts to date in August 2021.

Additionally, the Nigerian government has demonstrated a readiness to address wildlife conservation issues on social media. For instance, last month, an investigation was initiated following the circulation of a distressing video depicting a soldier gunning down two elephants that had wandered onto farmland. The footage sparked widespread condemnation, reflecting growing public concern over the country's wildlife policies.

In 2022 alone, the Nigerian customs officials made substantial seizures, capturing 1,613 tons of pangolin scales and apprehending 14 individuals linked to wildlife trafficking.

The destruction of elephant tusks in Nigeria sends a powerful message on both a national and international level, that the country is serious about enforcing wildlife conservation laws. It highlights a commitment to preserving biodiversity and reducing the demand for illegally sourced wildlife products.