By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
A suspected wildlife trafficker, Shamsideen Abubakar, who was previously declared wanted by a Federal High Court in Lagos, has been arrested in a joint operation by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC).
Abubakar, described as a key player in an international wildlife trafficking network, had been on the run since September 2021 after a coordinated operation led to the arrest of his associates, Sunday Ebenyi and Salif Sandwidi, and the seizure of 1,009.50 kilograms of pangolin scales in the Ikeja area of Lagos.
According to a statement by NESREA’s Assistant Director (Press), Nwamaka Ejiofor, the arrest reflects the sustained commitment of Nigerian authorities and international partners to intelligence-driven enforcement against wildlife crime.
She said the operation demonstrates a coordinated, multi-agency approach to dismantling trafficking networks, including those with cross-border links, while reinforcing efforts to protect biodiversity and enforce environmental laws.
The statement added that the arrest sends a strong warning to wildlife traffickers that law enforcement agencies will continue to pursue suspects until they are brought to justice, regardless of how long it takes.
Reacting to the development, NESREA Director-General, Prof. Innocent Barikor, said Nigeria would not be allowed to become a safe haven for wildlife crime.
“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,” he said.
Barikor added that the success was achieved through strong collaboration, intelligence sharing, and coordinated enforcement efforts, while urging the public to report suspicious activities and warning that the era of impunity is over.
