…Vows to bust anti-wildlife trafficking networks
The Nigeria Customs Service NCS, has made a big seizure as its operatives intercepted a 1x40ft container loaded with donkey genitals along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway, last Friday.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC, Adewale Adeniyi, who was represented by Customs National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Dr Abdullahi Maiwada said the operatives acting on credible intelligence carried out the seizure under coordinated surveillance by officers of the Special Wildlife Office, SWO, and Customs Intelligence Unit, CIU.
Although he said no arrests were made yet, as the driver of truck conveying the container flee along with other occupants of the truck, efforts are being made to trace the origin and destination of the consignment.
Speaking further, the CGC noted that over the past 12 months, the SWO has uncovered and disrupted multiple illicit wildlife trafficking operations across the country.
Noteworthy among these include the recovery of six African Grey Parrots and the arrest of one suspect on 10 December 2024 at Kano, the interception of two live pangolins, five Mona monkeys, two Tantalus monkeys, one baby baboon and an African Grey Parrot at Lagos Airport in May 2025. In another separate operation, there was an arrest of one suspect in Ikom area of Cross River State linked to seizures of 213 parrot heads, six eagle heads, 128 hornbill heads, and other exotic species. On 13 January 2025, the Service handed over rescued tortoises to the National Park Service in Oyo State.
Several seizures involving taxidermy specimens, such as life-sized lions, zebra hides, gorilla parts, and pangolin scales have been recorded in various ports and logistics routes nationwide.
One such case involved 119.4kg of pangolin scales found in a container concealed in sacks around Calabar area of Cross River State.
In another development, 120 African Grey Parrots were rescued and one suspect arrested in Fufore area of Adamawa State.
He assures of the Service unwavering commitment to protecting endangered species, preserving biodiversity, and upholding Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
He said the Service collaborates with Focus Conservation, the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), and maintains joint task force engagements with key domestic and international security agencies, including NDLEA, EFCC, Nigeria Police Force, Interpol, as well as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), among others. These partnerships have deepened intelligence sharing, leading to high profile interceptions and successful prosecutions.
He said after proper documentation and compliance with procedure, the seized items will be officially handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
Also speaking during the briefing, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Officer-in-Charge SWO, Anuhu Samaila Mani, emphasised key achievements in seizure of Illicit Wildlife Products.
According to him, from December 2024 to June 2025, SWO has successfully major interceptions. He gave the breakdown as follows:6087.9 kg of Pangolin scales4.15kg of worked Ivory157 Live African Grey Parrots20 green Parrots4 live Senegal Parrots2 Budgies6 live Monkeys4 live Pangolins3022 donkey skins37 Taxidermies16 Zebra Skins10603 Male Donkey Genitals Arrests and Disruptions.
Mani commended the CGC Adeniyi not only for supporting the SWO unit but also for creating a enabling environment for the unit to operate.
