Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’, have intercepted two live pangolins being illegally transported along the Kano–Jigawa axis.
The seizure occurred on March 12, 2026, at about 10:00 a.m. during a stop-and-search operation carried out by officers of the unit as part of a proactive enforcement exercise targeting smuggling activities in the area.
According to a statement issued by the Unit, the interception was made in line with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement that regulates and in some cases prohibits trade in wildlife species threatened with extinction.
Following the interception, the animals were secured in protective cages and transported to the FOU Zone ‘B’ headquarters in Kaduna for proper handling and documentation. A physical examination revealed that each of the pangolins weighed approximately 15 kilograms.
The Comptroller of the Unit, Comptroller Aminu Sule, has directed a comprehensive investigation to trace the origin of the animals and uncover the network responsible for the attempted illegal trade.
He stressed that the operation demonstrates the unit’s resolve to dismantle wildlife trafficking routes within its jurisdiction.
“This seizure sends a clear message that Zone ‘B’ will not serve as a transit corridor for wildlife traffickers,” Sule stated.
Pangolins are among the most trafficked mammals globally due to the high demand for their scales and meat in illegal markets. The interception, according to the Service, underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws and international treaties aimed at protecting endangered species and preserving biodiversity.
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