Customs records 12 Convictions for about 20,000kg of Endangered Species intercepted in 3 yrs

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Special Wildlife Office and the Wildlife Justice Commission started the year with their second Cooperation meeting, bringing together some of the NCS officers who have, at one time or another been a part of the team of investigators, intelligence analyst, trainers, prosecutors and all those involved in the different processes that […]

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Special Wildlife Office and the Wildlife Justice Commission started the year with their second Cooperation meeting, bringing together some of the NCS officers who have, at one time or another been a part of the team of investigators, intelligence analyst, trainers, prosecutors and all those involved in the different processes that led to the arrests, prosecution and 12 Illegal Wildlife Convictions recorded from the joint enforcement operations by the duo within the past 3 years, the objective was to review all NCS Illegal Wildlife cases, the lessons learnt, and the inclusion of financial investigation for prosecution, going forward.

The Commandant of the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Acting Comptroller Hadisson was there to give short opening remarks. He praised the NCS Special Wildlife Officers and commended the leadership of the Officer in charge: Asst Compt Abim.

Present at this meeting was Mr Brian Geourgous the Attachee of the US Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS), an agency of the US government which the Special Wildlife Office recently formed partnership with, to strengthen their capabilities to fight Wildlife trafficking.

In attendance also to boost the morale of 2 of the officers: the Digital Evidence Exploration Experts, was the representative of Focused Conservation(FC) in the person of Mr Martin Young. These 2 officers are sponsored on a 3years course and trained by FC. They demonstrated the knowledge acquired with a practical presentation to the participants.

The officer in charge of NCS Special Wildlife Office, in her words showered encomium on the CGC for his support, commitment and leadership, particularly in combating Wildlife trafficking, she says Nigeria Customs Service will not relent, rather, will continue to support all effort to end Wildlife crime.

She also used the opportunity to appreciate the Wildlife Justice Commission for sponsoring the event, appreciate the UNODC, other Government agencies and many other NGOs like the Wildlife Conservation Society, Nigeria Conservation Foundation, Focused Conservation, Wild African Fund, EIA,Pangolin Guild Society and many others for their support.