NESREA partners stakeholders to fight environmental crimes

The National Environmental Standard and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has reiterated its commitment to fight all forms of environmental crimes through effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders in the country.

This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Mrs Amaka Ejiofor, Public Relations Officer of the NESREA.

Ejiofor said the agency, in collaboration with some officials of National Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR), rescued a manatee (Trichechus Senegalensis) in Epe community, Lagos State.

Trichechus Senegalensis is a West African manatee, which is a large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammal; also known as sea cow.

She said that the animal had been held hostage for nearly a month by a fisherman in the community.

“Following a tip off by Wild Aid, the agency in collaboration with officials of NIOMR, carried out enforcement with the support of the Nigeria Police Force to rescue the endangered animal.

“This is a major milestone in aquatic animals rescue in Nigeria.

“The animal was released into the Lekki lagoon to continue life in its natural habitat.

“The African specie of manatee is listed in Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora.

“It is scheduled as one of Local Laws Endangered Species Act.

“Capturing or trading in this specie by any individual or group of persons is, therefore, prohibited.

“The agency will continue its fight against all forms of environmental crimes in the country,” Ejiofor explained. (NAN)