NGO urges Adamawa gov’t to intensify war against wildlife trafficking
Story from Usman IBRAHIM, Yola
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Wildlife Conservation Society of Nigeria (WCS), has called on the government of Adamawa State to intensify the war against poaching and wildlife trafficking in the state.
Mr Elisha Bello, the WCS Nigeria Counter Wildlife Trafficking Advisor, made the plea at a two-day workshop in Yola.
The workshop had the theme: “Enhancing prosecution strategy for combating illegal wildlife trafficking and poaching in neighbouring communities of Nigeria and Cameroon green corridor.”
He noted that wildlife trafficking at the border communities must be fought drastically in order to save wild animals from extinction.
Bello said a recent assessment by the NGO revealed that there were 63 rough roads linking Nigeria with Cameroon, but only 19 of the roads were manned by security operatives.
“Adamawa is more vulnerable, and it is time for the government to strengthen the borders and intensify the fight against wildlife trafficking and poaching, especially in Nigeria-Cameroon green corridor,” the official said.
He said the objective of the workshop was to equip participants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and strategies to strengthen prosecution efforts, enhance inter-agency cooperation and enhance the war against wildlife crimes.
In her remarks, Mrs Hyelnasiya Marcus, a resource person, underscored the need for government to strengthen the existing laws to protect wildlife in the country.
According to her, corruption is one of the major challenges of criminal prosecution in Nigeria.
She called on all stakeholders to contribute their own quota to ensure that poaching offenders are brought to book, to serve as a deterrence to others.
A participant, Malam Dahiru Umar, the Deputy Chief Inspector, Sharia Court of Appeal, Bauchi State, commended CWS for organising the workshop.
He said the knowledge acquired at the workshop would assist him in discharging his duties effectively.
The participants, drawn from Adamawa and Bauchi States, included environmentalists, rangers, judicial officers, and police personnel.