BY Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’, has intercepted two live pangolins being illegally transported along the Kano–Jigawa axis, highlighting the agency’s commitment to combating wildlife trafficking.
The seizure occurred on 12 March 2026 at around 10:00 a.m. during a stop-and-search operation, when operatives flagged down a vehicle as part of a proactive enforcement sweep.
Each pangolin weighed approximately 15 kg and was immediately secured in appropriate cages before being transported to the FOU Zone ‘B’ headquarters in Kaduna.
Read also:Enugu Police, Army nab two armed robbers, recover stolen tricycle
The operation was carried out under the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement that prohibits trade threatening the survival of wild species.
Comptroller Aminu Sule, head of the Unit, ordered a full-scale investigation to determine the source and intended destination of the endangered animals.
He stated: “This seizure sends a clear message that Zone ‘B’ will not be a transit point for wildlife traffickers.”
Pangolins are among the most trafficked mammals globally.
The interception underscores the NCS’s vigilance in enforcing environmental laws and international treaties to protect Nigeria’s biodiversity.
