The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Lagos has foiled a wildlife trafficking attempt, rescuing three live pangolins along Oyo Dam in Igbo- Ora, Ogun State.
The interception, which occurred on Monday, followed credible intelligence received by Customs operatives conducting routine patrols in the area.
In a statement, the Unit’s spokesperson, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Hussaini Abdullahi, said that the suspected traffickers abandoned the animals, which were concealed in a sack inside a wire-mesh cage, and fled into a nearby swamp upon sighting the patrol team.
The rescued pangolins have been handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre for safekeeping, rehabilitation and appropriate management.
Speaking during the handover, the Acting Comptroller of FOU Zone A, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, represented by the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, described the interception as a significant achievement in the Service’s efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, smuggling and other forms of transnational organised crime.
Afeni commended the operatives for their vigilance and prompt response, noting that the operation demonstrated the Unit’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity and disrupting criminal networks involved in the illegal trade in endangered species.
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“Pangolins are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and their illegal trade remains a serious threat to wildlife conservation,” Afeni emphasised.
The Service reiterated that individuals involved in the illegal possession, transportation or commercialisation of protected wildlife risk prosecution and severe penalties under applicable Nigerian laws.
Afeni warned smugglers and their collaborators that the Unit would sustain intelligence-led operations, intensify patrols and strengthen inter-agency collaboration across its area of responsibility to prevent the illegal movement of endangered species.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs and the Service to securing Nigeria’s borders, protecting the nation’s natural resources and supporting national and international efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.
The interception highlights the role of the Nigeria Customs Service in enforcing relevant trade restrictions and supporting wildlife conservation through intelligence-driven border and anti-smuggling operations.
