Nigeria to Build Monument from the Ashes of Crushed Elephant Tusks, Ivories

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The federal government is set to build a monument in Abuja from ashes of crushed elephant tusks and ivories to show the importance of the animal to the country, and to announce its zero tolerance to illegal trading in ivories and tusks.

Speaking at the crushing of 2.5 tons of elephant tusks and ivories with market value of N9.9 billion in Abuja yesterday, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, said the ashes of the crushed ivories and tusks would be used to build a monument in Abuja to show to the rest of the world the importance of elephants to the country, and the government’s willingness to do everything to preserve them.

Salako, in his speech at the public disposal of confiscated wildlife stockpiles under the custody of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), noted that sometime ago, Nigeria was suspended from CITES trade because of increase in illegal wildlife trade and lack of adequate enforcement.

“This suspension was later lifted by CITES Secretariat in 2011 through a well-coordinated effort of the then nine membership Inter-Agency Committee on CITES enforcement in Nigeria that was chaired by NESREA,” the minister said.

He said Nigeria has opted for the outright destruction of stockpiles at the NESREA through pulverisation of elephant tusks and ivories, while pangolin scales and other skin products were earlier incinerated on October 16, 2023.

The minister said the option of outright destruction is aimed at showing the entire world Nigeria’s zero tolerant to illegal wildlife trade at any level, and to serve as a deterrent to the illicit wildlife traffickers, who uses Nigeria as their transit route.

He said: “We are proud to stand at the forefront of the fight against the illegal ivory trade. Today’s ivory crush is a symbol of Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation and the protection of our natural heritage. By destroying these confiscated ivory stockpiles, we send a strong message that wildlife trafficking will not be tolerated in our country.

“Nigeria is taking a firm stance, and we call on the global community to join hands in eradicating this illicit trade that threatens the very existence of our elephants.”

On his part, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NESREA. Professor Aliyu Jauro, said: “The destruction of the confiscated ivory is a tangible step towards stamping out wildlife trafficking.”

 “We stand united against the illegal ivory trade, and our actions today are not only crucial in preserving the majestic elephants for future generations but also in sending a clear message that Nigeria will do whatever it takes to protect our elephants and other endangered wildlife.”

The illegal ivory trade poses a severe threat to elephant populations across Africa, contributing to a steep decline in numbers “of these majestic creatures and fueling organised crime.” Tens of thousands of elephants are killed each year for their tusks, despite a ban on the international trade in ivory since 1989 by the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The most recent African Elephant Status Report estimated that about 415,000 elephants remain in Africa today compared to over 1.3 million elephants found on the continent in 1979. As few as 400 are in Nigeria today.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation (EPIF), John Scanlon, also said: “The Elephant Protection Initiative is honoured to stand with the Government of Nigeria at today’s ivory crush. The destruction of confiscated elephant ivory in Abuja will not, in itself, put an end to the trafficking of elephant ivory. It will, however, ensure that no one will ever profit from this contraband. When coupled with the recent seizures of ivory and the prosecution and conviction of offenders, it also sends a powerful message that Nigeria does not tolerate this illegal trade, and is taking important steps to protect its remaining elephant population.

“We look forward to continuing our support to Nigeria with stockpile management and other conservation-related issues.”