TWO ARRESTED FOR HAWKING ELEPHANT, BUFFALO MEAT IN IMO
The Association boss who is also the Director of the Imo State Zoo, further stated that the incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday, after the attention of the security agents were brought to the development.
He gave identities of the suspects as include, Harisel Mohammed,(25) and Mahadi Yusuf,(18) both from Ningi local government area in Bauchi State, adding that preliminary investigations revealed that they got the meat and parts from wildlife poachers and bandits from the Yankari Games Reserve in Bauchi State, Nigeria.
“It is illegal, under the endangered species (control of international trade and traffic) act, an Act that provides for the conservation and management of Nigeria’s wildlife and the protection of some of her endangered species. These species are in danger of extinction as a result of over exploitation’, he said.
The first part of the Act states“As from the commencement of this Act, the hunting or capture of or trade in, the animal species specified in the First Schedule to this Act (being animal species threatened with extinction) is absolutely prohibited.
“The second part of the Act further states, “As from the commencement of this Act, no person shall hunt, capture, trade in or otherwise deal with an animal species specified in the Second Schedule to this Act (being animals which, though not necessarily now threatened with extinction, may become so threatened unless trade in respect of such species is controlled) except where he is in possession of a licence issued under this Act.”
Penpushing also reports that, the statement said the arrested meat hawkers “are making useful statements to the Police and that the association was working with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and authorities of the Yankari Game Reserve to ensure the suspects are prosecuted.
