Editor
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against wildlife trafficking by seizing 9,493 kg of pangolin scales, marking one of the largest wildlife crime busts in recent years.
Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, revealed that the seizures were made during coordinated operations in Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos, leading to the arrests of four suspects.
The operations, conducted in partnership with the Wildlife Justice Commission, targeted criminal syndicates involved in the illegal international trade of pangolin scales.
In the Kano/Kaduna axis, 2.293 tonnes of scales were recovered, while a major haul of 7.2 tonnes was seized in Lagos.
These operations bring the total amount of pangolin scales intercepted by the NCS and the Wildlife Justice Commission to nearly 20 tonnes since 2021, equivalent to over 30,000 pangolins lost to poaching.
Adeniyi emphasized that these illicit goods, sourced from other West African countries, were intended for shipment to buyers in Asia.
This joint operation represents the largest pangolin scale seizure globally since January 2020.
He vowed that the NCS will intensify efforts to bring all involved in the illegal wildlife trade to justice.
Assistant Comptroller Abim Isafiade, National Coordinator of the NCS Special Wildlife Office, affirmed that the NCS remains committed to supporting global efforts to combat wildlife crime and protect endangered species.
The agency has expanded its enforcement operations to focus on supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas, where illegal wildlife products frequently enter the country.
The NCS expressed gratitude to the Wildlife Justice Commission for its ongoing support and looks forward to further collaboration in dismantling transnational wildlife crime networks.
This successful operation sends a strong message to wildlife traffickers that Nigeria is determined to protect its natural heritage and contribute to global efforts to end illegal wildlife trade.
