Operatives of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service have foiled another wildlife trafficking attempt with the interception of three live pangolins.
The seizure was effected on Monday at 09.05am during an anti-smuggling operation along Oyo Dam at Igbo-Ora in Ogun State, a statement issued by the Unit’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Hussein Abdulahi said.
According to the statement, officers of the Unit acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a sack conveying the endangered animals concealed in a wire mesh caged.
Upon sighting the Customs patrol team, the suspected traffickers, the statement said, abandoned the consignment and fled into the surrounding swamp, leaving behind the animals.
Speaking on the development, the Acting Comptroller of the Unit, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, represented by the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement Oluwaseun Oguntuase, described the interception as a significant milestone in the Service’s sustained campaign against wildlife trafficking, smuggling and other transnational organised crimes.
He commended the operatives for their vigilance, and prompt response, noting that the operation underscored the Unit’s resolve to protect Nigeria’s biodiversity and disrupt criminal networks exploiting the country’s borders and waterways.
Pangolins are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and their illegal trade remains a serious threat to wildlife conservation. The Service reiterated that persons involved in the smuggling, possession, transportation or commercialisation of endangered species risk prosecution and severe penalties under applicable Nigerian laws.
To guarantee their safety and welfare, the three rescued pangolins have been handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre for safekeeping, rehabilitation and appropriate management.
Afeni warned smugglers and their collaborators that FOU Zone ‘A’ would continue to intensify patrols, intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency collaboration across its area of responsibility. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the Service to securing Nigeria’s borders, protecting endangered species and supporting national and international efforts against illegal wildlife trade.
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