The Nigerian government on January 10, 2024, destroyed over 2.5 tonnes of seized elephant tusks and ivory products, valued at more than $11.2 million.
The event took place in Abuja, the country's capital, with the Minister of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, and other high-ranking officials in attendance.
The destruction of the seized ivory is a significant step towards curbing the rampant poaching of elephants in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.
The country has been identified as a hub for illegal wildlife trafficking, with gangs smuggling African pangolins to Asia and using Nigeria's insecure borders, lax law enforcement, and large ports to their advantage.
The Nigerian Customs Service has been working closely with international organizations and other countries to step up counter-smuggling operations.
This collaboration led to the seizure of the elephant tusks and ivory products from the Lekki area near the main ports in Lagos.
The destruction of the seized ivory sends a strong message to wildlife traffickers that Nigeria is zero-tolerant towards illegal wildlife trade.
The government plans to use the crushed tusks' powder to build a symbolic national park monument as a reminder of the importance of elephants in the ecosystem.
