The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it had recorded 12 convictions over illegal wildlife cases in three years.
This was disclosed at the second cooperation meeting of the Special Wildlife Office and the Wildlife Justice Commission in Lagos.
The meeting brought together some of the NCS officers who have, at one time or another been a part of the team of investigators, intelligence analysts, trainers, prosecutors and all those involved in different processes that led to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of the 12 illegal wildlife cases recorded through the joint enforcement operations within the past three years.
The objective of the meeting was to review all NCS illegal wildlife cases, the lessons learnt, and the inclusion of financial investigation for prosecution, going forward.
Commandant of Customs Training College, Ikeja, Acting Comptroller Hadisson, in his short opening remarks, praised the NCS special wildlife officers and commended the leadership of the officer in charge.
Present at this meeting was Brian Gourgues, the Attaché of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), an agency of the American government which the special wildlife office recently formed partnership with to strengthen their capabilities to fight wildlife trafficking.
The officer in charge of NCS Special Wildlife Office showered encomium on the CGC for his support, commitment and leadership, particularly in combating wildlife trafficking.
She said that NCS would not relent, but continue to support all efforts to end wildlife crime.
She also used the opportunity to appreciate the Wildlife Justice Commission for sponsoring the event, appreciate the UNODC, other government agencies and many other NGOs like the Wildlife Conservation Society, Nigeria Conservation Foundation, Focused Conservation, Wild African Fund, EIA, Pangolin Guild Society and many others for their support.
