A suspected wildlife trafficker, Shamsideen Abubakar, has been apprehended in a joint enforcement operation involving the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), after being on the run for five years.
Abubakar, who was previously declared wanted by the Federal High Court in Lagos, is believed to be a key figure in an international wildlife trafficking network. He had evaded arrest since September 2021, following a crackdown that led to the arrest of his associates, Sunday Ebenyi and Salif Sandwidi.
That earlier operation, conducted by the WJC and NCS, resulted in the seizure of over 1,000 kilograms of pangolin scales in Ikeja, Lagos – one of the largest seizures of its kind in the country, highlighting the scale of illegal wildlife trade operations linked to Nigeria.
Authorities say Abubakar’s arrest demonstrates the persistence of Nigerian law enforcement agencies and their international partners in tracking down suspects involved in environmental crimes, and reflects an intelligence-driven approach to dismantling trafficking networks.
Reacting to the development, Prof. Innocent Barikor, Director-General of NESREA, reiterated the agency’s commitment to eradicating wildlife crime in Nigeria. He stated that Nigeria will not be a safe haven for traffickers and that offenders will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Barikor attributed the success of the operation to strong inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing, and coordinated enforcement efforts. He also urged the public to support authorities by reporting suspicious activities, warning that impunity for wildlife crimes is over.
The arrest is a significant blow to trafficking networks and sends a strong message that arrest warrants will be enforced, regardless of how long suspects remain at large.
Nigeria has intensified its crackdown on wildlife trafficking in recent years, a crime that threatens biodiversity, undermines conservation efforts, and violates national and international regulations. Authorities say the latest development reinforces the country’s zero-tolerance stance and commitment to protecting endangered species.
