The Federal Government Development Partners, on Friday established a Wildlife Enforcement Task Force, WLETF, within the West Africa sub-region to combat trafficking. The Task force will also be charged with ensuring that the recommendations of the International Consortium for Combating Wildlife Crime, ICCWC, toolkit assessment report are translated into concrete actions. Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abass Lawal, announced this during his keynote address at the launch of the ICCWC Wildlife and Forest Crime Analytic Toolkit Assessment Report for Nigeria, organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC, in Abuja. The Minister, represented by Director, Planning, Research & Statistics, Stanley Jonah, said the ICCWC Toolkit Assessment Report, a comprehensive and timely document will provide a clear-eyed view of the challenges, as well as the opportunities to strengthen the efforts to combat wildlife crime. He said the Ministry will be exploring new technologies and innovative approaches to monitor and protect wildlife which will include the use of drones and satellite imagery.
He said, “I commend the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) for their commitment and dedication to assisting Nigeria in this critical fight. This report represents not just an assessment but a roadmap for action-one that calls for greater collaboration, innovation, and determination. We recognise that much more needs to be done. Wildlife crime is a complex, transnational issue that requires a multi-faceted and collaborative approach. The recommendations in the ICCWC Toolkit Assessment Report provide us with a valuable guide as we work to improve our efforts. We are committed to implementing these recommendations in partnership with our international and domestic stakeholders. In this regard, I am pleased to announce that the Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESRA), Federal Ministry of Justice (FMoJ), the Nigeria Customs Service, (NCS), the Nigeria Police Force, and INTERPOL has establish a dedicated Wildlife Enforcement Task Force (WLETF) first the West Africa sub-region.
“This Task Force will be charged with ensuring that the recommendations of the ICCWC Toolkit Assessment Report are translated into concrete actions. We will also be exploring new technologies and innovative approaches to monitor and protect our wildlife, including the use of drones and satellite imagery. Moreover, we must recognise the crucial role that communities play in conserving wildlife, and forest resources. Empowering local communities to protect and sustainably manage their natural resources is essential. The government will continue to support community-based conservation initiatives and provide alternative livelihoods to reduce the dependency on illegal wildlife activities.” He said.
While presenting the key findings of the ICCWC, The Africa Coordinator, UNODC Global Programme for Crimes that affect the Environment, Giovanni Broussard the report will present 33 recommendations for combating wildlife crimes in Nigeria and four of the recommendations will offer the potential for swift change to enhance the country’s resilience to organised crime. According to him, the four recommendations includes; the passing of an amended wildlife crime bill, the establishment of a multi-agency operational task force, education for judges and prosecutors on appropriate sentencing for those involved in serious organised crime, including the use of their confiscation powers under the proceeds of crime (recovery and management) Act of 2022, and the creation of an environmental crime unit within the Federal Ministry of Justice, responsible for prosecuting major wildlife and fisheries cases. He said the 33 recommendations, together, serve as a framework for the development of a strategy to address identified gaps and enhance national responses to wildlife and forest crimes.
