NCS, NESREA, WJC Secure Major Breakthrough Against Wildlife Trafficking

.Arrest Four Suspects, Vehicle with 22pcs of Elephant Tusks Weighing 130.84kg

ZAINAB JUNAID

 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ in collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) have recorded a major breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to combat Wildlife crime and protect endangered species with the interception of 22pcs of Elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg, 4 male suspects and a vehicle.

In a statement signed on 14 June 2026 by the Unit’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Hussaini Abdullahi, the arrest was made possible through a well coordinated intelligence gathering, surveillance, and investigation into an organised Wildlife trafficking syndicate operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.

According to the statement, the gathering was led by the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A and the SIS A team of Customs Intelligence Unit, with the support of the aforementioned strategic partners.

“The seizure was effected at about 1630hrs on 13th June 2026 at Ofada, Mowe, Ogun State and other targets arrested within Lagos, simultaneously.

“The seized Elephant tusks in Asia, has black market value equivalent to One Hundred and Twenty-Six Million, Three Hundred and Ninety-One, Four Hundred and Forty Naira (N126,390,440.00) only.

“Both the recovered specimen and suspects are in custody pending further investigation and prosecution,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking on this development, the comptroller, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Gambo Aliyu described the seizure as a clear demonstration of the Unit’s commitment to enforcing national and international Wildlife protection laws as contained in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which Nigeria is a signatory.

“Section 55 (1) para 1 (i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 prohibit the illegal trade in endangered species,” he said.

Comptroller Aliyu noted that the seizure also underscored ongoing enforcement efforts to stop illegal wildlife trade and protect biodiversity.

The comptroller further appreciated all the relevant stakeholders, especially NESREA and WJC for their invaluable contribution, without which he said, would have been a nullity.

He urged them to sustain the tempo so as to damage the activities of criminal elements who exploit Nigeria as a transit route for their nefarious activities.

Comptroller Aliyu also urged the public to assist the Nigeria Customs Service in reporting suspicious shipments, activities, or anyone with information relating to Wildlife trafficking syndicates to notify the Agency as Customs will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those found to be in violation of the law.