The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’, has intercepted live pangolins along the Kano–Takai–Jigawa road, marking its second such seizure in two weeks.
Operatives made the latest interception on March 26, 2026, at about 1pm, just a fortnight after a similar operation on March 12. The back-to-back seizures signal an intensified crackdown on wildlife trafficking across the zone, which covers 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the unit’s Public Relations Officer, M.U. Balarabe, the Service confirmed that the operation was intelligence-driven. Officers on routine patrol flagged down a suspicious vehicle and, upon thorough search, discovered the endangered mammals concealed inside.
“The seizures align with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which prohibits trade that threatens the survival of endangered wildlife,” the statement noted.
All animals seized in both operations have been moved to the unit’s Kaduna headquarters, with arrangements underway to hand them over to relevant wildlife authorities for proper care.
The Unit Comptroller, Aminu Sule, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to dismantle the syndicate behind the trafficking. He warned that Zone ‘B’ would not serve as a transit point or safe haven for wildlife traffickers.
“The frequency of these interceptions — twice within a fortnight — demonstrates our heightened surveillance,” Sule said. “This seizure sends a clear message that we will not relent until those involved are brought to justice.”
Pangolins remain the most trafficked mammals globally, driven by demand for their scales and meat. The Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing environmental laws and international agreements in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
