WildLife: Customs Intercept Four Live Pangolins in Ogun Smuggling Attempt
In a significant victory for wildlife conservation and border security, the Nigeria Customs Service has successfully thwarted a clandestine trafficking operation. The news that Customs seize four live pangolins has sent ripples through the environmental community, as these mammals are currently ranked among the most trafficked and endangered species globally.
The operation was carried out by the proactive officers of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, who intercepted the illegal cargo during a high-stakes patrol along the Alapa Creek in the Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The recovery occurred when eagle-eyed officers spotted suspicious activity along the riverine border, a notorious route often exploited by smugglers attempting to move illicit goods across the frontier. Upon closer inspection of the abandoned gear left by fleeing suspects, the team discovered four healthy, live pangolins concealed in a manner intended to evade detection. The smugglers, sensing the imminent arrival of the tactical team, abandoned the animals and escaped into the dense forest undergrowth surrounding the creek.
While no arrests were made on the spot, the rescue of the live animals is being hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against the illicit wildlife trade.
Following the seizure, the Customs leadership emphasized that this successful intervention is a testament to the intensified intelligence gathering and border surveillance strategies currently in place. Pangolins are protected under international law, and Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which strictly prohibits the trade of these “scaly anteaters.”
The fact that Customs seize four live pangolins alive is particularly rare, as many traffickers often deal in dried scales, which are highly sought after in certain international black markets for their alleged medicinal properties.
The four pangolins were immediately processed for transfer to the appropriate authorities for rehabilitation. In line with inter-agency collaboration protocols, the Customs Service is handing the animals over to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). Experts will evaluate the health of the creatures before they are safely released back into a protected wildlife sanctuary where they can thrive without the threat of poaching.
This latest operation highlights the diverse challenges faced by the Nigeria Customs Service, which extends far beyond revenue collection and the seizure of traditional contraband like rice or narcotics. By disrupting this wildlife smuggling ring, the service has demonstrated its commitment to global environmental protection and the preservation of Nigeria’s biodiversity.
Officials have warned that the hunt for the fleeing suspects continues, and they have urged residents living in border communities to provide timely information that could lead to the arrest of those profiting from the destruction of endangered wildlife.