The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’, has intercepted live pangolins along the Kano–Takai–Jigawa road in a renewed effort to combat wildlife trafficking across northern Nigeria.
The latest seizure was carried out on March 26, 2026, at about 1:00 p.m., barely two weeks after a similar operation on March 12, underscoring what authorities describe as an intensified crackdown on illegal wildlife trade within the zone.
According to a statement issued in Kaduna by the unit’s Public Relations Officer, MU Balarabe, the operation was intelligence-driven and executed during a routine patrol by customs operatives.
The statement revealed that officers flagged down a suspicious vehicle along the axis, and a subsequent thorough search led to the discovery of the endangered animals concealed within the vehicle.
“The endangered mammals were discovered hidden in the vehicle during inspection,” the statement noted, highlighting the covert methods often employed by traffickers to evade detection.
The Nigeria Customs Service said the repeated interceptions reflect heightened surveillance and strategic monitoring of key transit routes frequently used by smugglers. The FOU Zone ‘B’ covers a wide operational area, including Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, and the Federal Capital Territory.
Authorities stated that the seizures were conducted in compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a global agreement that regulates and, in many cases, prohibits the trade of endangered species to prevent their extinction.
Following the interception, the rescued pangolins were moved to the unit’s headquarters in Kaduna. The Customs Service disclosed that arrangements are underway to transfer the animals to appropriate wildlife authorities for proper care and rehabilitation.
The Comptroller of the Unit, Aminu Sule, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident to uncover the network behind the trafficking operation. He emphasized that the Service remains committed to dismantling syndicates involved in the illegal wildlife trade.
“The frequency of these interceptions — twice within a fortnight — demonstrates our heightened surveillance,” Sule said. “This seizure sends a clear message that Zone ‘B’ will not be a transit point or safe haven for wildlife traffickers.”
He further reiterated the agency’s determination to enforce environmental laws and international agreements aimed at protecting endangered species, warning smugglers to desist from using the region as a corridor for illicit activities.
Pangolins are widely regarded as the most trafficked mammals in the world, largely due to the high demand for their scales and meat in illegal markets. Conservationists have repeatedly warned that continued poaching and trafficking could push the species closer to extinction.
The Nigeria Customs Service affirmed that it will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including conservation agencies and international partners, to strengthen enforcement, protect biodiversity, and combat wildlife crimes across the country.
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