The Federal Government has announced plans to strengthen surveillance at airports, seaports, and land borders to curb illegal wildlife trafficking.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, in Abuja, on Saturday.
This follows the recent discovery of a baby gorilla smuggled from Nigeria by Turkish authorities during a routine inspection at the host country’s airport.
According to the statement, the Federal Government has partnered with Turkish authorities for the safe return of the endangered baby gorilla intercepted at Istanbul Airport on 22 December 2024 highlights Nigeria’s commitment to wildlife conservation and anti-smuggling efforts.
“The gorilla, which was reported to have been smuggled from Nigeria and on transit to Bangkok, Thailand, was discovered by Turkish authorities during a routine inspection,” the statement partly reads.
Ebienfa emphasized that wildlife trafficking, particularly of endangered species, is a criminal act that violates both national and international laws, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
“The baby gorilla is classified under CITES Appendix l, as critically endangered, and any trade in this species are strictly prohibited except under exceptional circumstances for conservation or scientific purposes,” the statement added.
To curb such illegal activities, the ministry disclosed that law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, are investigating the smuggling attempt to trace its origin.
“Consequently, the Government will enhance surveillance at the nation’s airports, seaports and land borders to prevent future attempts and acts of illegal wildlife trafficking,” the statement partly reads.
The Federal Government praised Turkish authorities for intercepting the illegal trafficking and instructed the Nigerian Embassy in Ankara to maintain engagement with local authorities to secure the baby gorilla’s safe return.
The ministry reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to biodiversity conservation and the protection of endangered species under global environmental treaties, vowing to implement proactive measures to ensure offenders face the full weight of the law.
