A new bill, championed by Hon. Terseer Ugbor, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, has been introduced to address critical issues concerning illegal wildlife trade, species conservation, and the decline of Nigeria’s wildlife and their habitats.
The proposed legislation aims to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies by granting investigators greater powers to investigate financial matters and conduct intelligence-led operations. It also seeks to empower judges to expedite wildlife-related cases and facilitate the recovery of assets linked to wildlife crimes. Furthermore, the bill aligns Nigeria’s laws with international treaties, encourages global cooperation, and introduces stricter penalties for poachers and traffickers.
“Protecting our wildlife means protecting livelihoods and ensuring a balanced ecosystem, and we can’t allow wildlife trafficking to continue to threaten our natural heritage,” stated Hon. Ugbor. He emphasized the importance of public participation in the upcoming hearings, urging everyone to engage in this vital conversation.
The public hearing will be jointly hosted by the House of Representatives’ Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements and its Committee on the Environment.
The bill has received substantial backing from various local and international organizations, including Africa Nature Investors Foundation (ANI), the Environmental Investigation Agency UK (EIA), and Wild Africa (WA). These organizations are actively supporting the Nigerian government’s initiatives to combat wildlife trafficking, with additional support from the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the UK Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, and the Pangolin Crisis Fund.
This concerted effort underscores the critical need for effective measures to protect Nigeria’s rich biodiversity and to combat the illegal wildlife trade that poses a significant threat to the country’s natural resources.