By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’, has intensified its crackdown on wildlife trafficking with the interception of two live pangolins along the Kano–Jigawa axis, in a move authorities say underscores a zero-tolerance stance against the illegal trade in endangered species.
The seizure, carried out on March 12, 2026, followed a routine stop-and-search operation during which operatives flagged down a suspicious vehicle and uncovered the animals concealed within. Each of the pangolins widely regarded as one of the most trafficked mammals in the world was found weighing approximately 15 kilograms.
In an official signed statement issued on Monday, March 16, 2026, the Acting Public Relations Officer of the Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Customs II Mohammed Usman, speaking on behalf of the Comptroller of Customs in charge of the Unit, Aminu Sule, confirmed the development. He disclosed that the rescued animals were promptly secured in specially designed cages and transported to the FOU Zone ‘B’ headquarters in Kaduna to ensure their safety and proper handling.
Comptroller Sule, who also confirmed the seizure, ordered a comprehensive investigation to track the origin and intended destination of the trafficked animals. He issued a strong warning to perpetrators, declaring that the operational zone will not be used as a corridor for illicit wildlife trade.
“Zone ‘B’ will not serve as a transit point for illegal trade in endangered species,” he stated, reaffirming the Unit’s resolve to dismantle smuggling networks operating within its jurisdiction.
The operation aligns with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, a global agreement designed to protect endangered plants and animals from exploitation and extinction through international trade.
The latest interception highlights the Nigeria Customs Service’s sustained commitment to enforcing environmental regulations, preserving biodiversity, and disrupting illegal trafficking networks that threaten the survival of vulnerable species.
