Minister of State for Environment, Iziak Salako, said the investigation would cover all recent incidents of wildlife killing, including in Kebbi, Sokoto and Ibadan.
“The brutal killings of these wildlife not only demonstrate a blatant disregard for the importance of wildlife conservation, but also highlight the urgent need to raise awareness,” Salako said.
Over the past three decades, Nigeria’s elephant population has declined drastically, from an estimated 1,500 to less than 400, according to conservationists.
Habitat loss, poaching for ivory and human-elephant conflict are the primary threats to Nigeria’s native elephant population.