Nigeria has burned $1.4m (£1.2m) worth of pangolin scales, say officials.

The announcement marks the first time the West African nation has publicly destroyed seized wildlife products in order to discourage illegal trafficking.

The pangolin, a shy and critically endangered animal, is one of the world's most trafficked mammals. Their scales are in high demand in traditional Chinese medicine.

Nigeria has become a major transit hub for African pangolin scales and other wildlife products trafficked to Asia.

"The destruction of these seized items is a powerful statement of our resolve to protect our environment, conserve our wildlife, and combat the illegal trade that drives species to the brink of extinction," Aliyu Jauro, the director-general of the National Environmental Standards Regulation and Enforcement Agency (NESREA) told reporters, adding that the destroyed pangolin scales amounted to four tonnes.