By: Muhammad Sabiu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’, has dealt another blow to wildlife traffickers with the interception of additional live pangolins being illegally transported along the Kano–Takai–Jigawa road.
In a statement issued by the Acting Public Relations Officer (PRO) of FOU Zone B, Kaduna, Mohammed Usman Balarabe, and made available to newsmen on Thursday, the latest arrest was confirmed to have occurred on 26 March 2026 at approximately 13:00 hours.
According to the statement, “This follows a similar successful operation conducted on 12 March 2026, marking a significant escalation in the unit’s enforcement activities this month.
“The seizures were affected pursuant to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement to which Nigeria is a signatory, which strictly prohibits trade that threatens the survival of wild species.
“In the most recent incident, operatives acting on intelligence flagged down a suspicious vehicle during a routine patrol. Upon inspection, the endangered mammals were discovered concealed within the vehicle.
“All intercepted animals from both the March 12 and March 26 operations have been secured and conveyed to the FOU Zone ‘B’ headquarters in Kaduna for further processing and handover to relevant wildlife authorities.
“The Comptroller of the Unit, Comptroller Aminu Sule, has reiterated his stance on wildlife crime, ordering a comprehensive investigation to dismantle the syndicate responsible.
“He stated: “The frequency of these interceptions twice within a fortnight demonstrates our heightened surveillance. This seizure sends a clear message: Zone ‘B’ will not be a transit point or a safe haven for wildlife traffickers.”
“Pangolins are currently the most trafficked mammals in the world. The Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in enforcing environmental laws and international treaties to protect Nigeria’s biodiversity and fulfill its global conservation obligations.”
(Nigerian Tribune)
