Three men have been arrested in Abuja for illegally selling protected birds and wild animals.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, working with the National Park Service, made the arrests during a joint operation in different parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
In a press statement released on Wednesday, NESREA’s Assistant Director of Press, Nwamaka Ejiofor, gave the names of the suspects as Musa Usman, Samila Abdullahi, and Saidu Jagaban.
She said, “The suspects were arrested in different parts of the city for the illegal sale of prohibited exotic birds and wild animals, contrary to the provisions of the Endangered Species Act.”
Ejiofor added that Usman and Abdullahi were caught with 15 Senegalese parrots and one African grey parrot. Jagaban, on the other hand, was arrested for selling three dead antelopes.
All three suspects are being held in custody while investigations continue.
Speaking on the arrest, NESREA’s Director-General, Professor Innocent Barikor, warned that trading in endangered species is a crime in Nigeria and anyone found guilty would be prosecuted.
He said, “All living things, including wild animals and birds, help to keep the environment balanced. That is why Nigeria, as a member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, must do everything possible to protect these species.”
The agency has promised to continue its efforts to stop illegal wildlife trading across the country.
