Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, have intercepted three live pangolins concealed in sacks in the Ogun Waterside area of Ogun State, dealing a blow to illegal wildlife trafficking in the region.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Idiroko, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent Chado Zakari, disclosed that officers acting on credible intelligence intercepted the endangered mammals after suspected smugglers fled the scene upon sighting the patrol team.
Zakari noted that the pangolins were tightly bound and confined inside wire mesh cages hidden within sacks a sophisticated concealment technique indicating the involvement of an organized smuggling syndicate.
He added that the rescue highlights the Service’s commitment to enforcing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Following the seizure, the Acting Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Abdulhamid Ibrahim, officially handed over the pangolins to Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation for rehabilitation and eventual release into a protected habitat.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Ibrahim highlighted the legal protections shielding the species under Nigerian law, particularly the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act.
He warned that wildlife trafficking carries severe legal consequences, noting that under the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, offenders face fines of up to ₦12 million and prison sentences of up to 10 years.
“Our officers acted with remarkable courage and professionalism throughout the covert operations,” Ibrahim stated. “We remain steadfast in our vigilance against trans-border crime and committed to collaborating with our partners to eliminate the illegal trade of endangered species.”
Receiving the animals, the Admin Manager and Supervisor at Green Fingers Wildlife, Mr. Isaac Itue Ime, commended the Ogun 1 Command for its swift action. Ime emphasized the vital role of Customs in combating the illegal wildlife trade and assured that the center would provide the necessary care to rehabilitate the surviving pangolins.
The Acting Controller issued a stern warning to wildlife traffickers, reaffirming that the Command remains fully equipped and prepared to track down anyone attempting to undermine conservation laws.
