The Eastern Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in Port Harcourt has announced the seizure of a variety of wildlife and contraband goods, collectively valued at N680 million in terms of duty paid.
This was contained in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Tangwa,on Saturday, adding that the various contrabands were intercepted at different waterways within the command.
“The Eastern Marine Command of the NCS has made a significant breakthrough in combatting wildlife trafficking by intercepting a substantial quantity of pangolin scales, elephant tusks and sacks of used second-hand shoes.
“The seizure took place in the South-South coastal waterways along the Ibaka-Bakasi Beach,” he said.
Tangwa stressed that the seizures showed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Giving details of the seizure, he added, “Sizeable consignment of pangolin scales and elephant tusks amounting to 365.4 kg and six large sacks of used second-hand shoes with a total duty paid value of N680m were intercepted.”
He maintained that the interception represented a significant blow to the illicit trade of endangered species.
Also, in the statement, the Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Mike Ugbagu, thanked the management of the service for deploying gunboats and logistic boats to the command.
“These additional resources greatly enhanced the command’s ability to patrol and secure the South-South coastal waterways effectively and also comb the beaches,” the CGC stated.
Ugbagu reiterated the command’s commitment to providing officers with the necessary tools and support needed to safeguard the nation’s waterways.
“These heinous activities not only endanger vulnerable species but also contribute to organised crime and illicit financial flows.
“Nigeria, as a responsible member of the international community, remains steadfast in its commitment to combating wildlife trafficking and preserving its rich biodiversity,” he added
|Punch Newspaper
