Breaking! Lion Cub Rescued In Nigeria From Illegal Wildlife Traffickers Attempting To Sell The Endangered Species For Six Million Naira, More Than $14,000 U.S. Dollars

Last week, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) rescued a lion cub from wildlife traffickers in Abuja, Nigeria, the Federal Capital Territory.

As per a Facebook post on the Agency’s page, a combined team from NESREA, the Nigerian Police Force, and the National Park Service arrested the suspects as they tried to sell the now-rescued cub for six million Naira. That equals $14,432.10 U.S. dollars.

Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NESREA Prof Aliyu Jauro, the Director of Environmental Quality Control, Mr. Ayuba Jacob, said that the operation was carried out because the animal was among the endangered species listed in the extant wildlife laws, including International Conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.

“Lions, like other endangered species are prohibited from illegal possession and open sale both locally and internationally under different conventions and regulations. Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES),” stated Jacob, who further explained that this is a criminal offense.

Jacob continued to warn citizens to desist from environmental crimes and said that the Agency will continue its war against perpetrators. He also said that the investigation was still ongoing and the suspects will be charged in court appropriately. The rescued cub has since been transferred to the appropriate custodial center pending further necessary actions as provided by extant laws.

Nigeria also maintains the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade) Regulation 2011 and the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) (Amendment) Act, 2016.

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