Customs Foils Another Wildlife Trafficking Attempt as FOU ‘A’ Operatives Intercept Three Live Pangolins

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has  rescued another three live pangolins as operatives of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, Lagos, intercepted the endangered species during an anti-smuggling operation along Oyo Dam at Igbo-Ora in Ogun State.

In a statement issued on Monday, 12 October 2026, by the Unit’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Hussaini Abdullahi for the Acting Comptroller, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, the seizure occurred on Monday, 12 October 2026 at approximately 09:05am.

Officers of the Unit acted on credible intelligence, intercepted a sack conveying the endangered animals concealed in a wire mesh caged and discovered the pangolins.

According to the statement, the suspected traffickers abandoned the consignment and fled into the surrounding swamp upon sighting the custms patrol team, leaving the animals behind.

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.

Recall that officers of the Ogun 1 Area Command of the NCS also rescued three live pangolins last week which were hitherto handed over to the Green Fingers Wildlife Initiative.

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 MFR PhD Psc(+), and the Service to securing Nigeria’s borders, protecting endangered species and supporting national and international efforts against illegal wildlife trade.