In a major crackdown on wildlife trafficking, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’, has intercepted two live pangolins being smuggled along the Kano–Jigawa axis.
According to a statement issued on Monday, March 16, 2026, the Acting Public Relations Officer of the Unit, Assistant Superintendent of Customs II Mohammed Usman, disclosed this on behalf of the Comptroller of Customs, Aminu Sule, who heads the Unit. He stated that the seizure was made on March 12, 2026, during a routine stop-and-search operation.
Usman explained that operatives flagged down a suspicious vehicle during an enforcement patrol, leading to the discovery of the endangered animals concealed inside. Each of the pangolins, considered one of the most trafficked mammals in the world, weighed approximately 15 kilograms.
He added that the animals were immediately secured in specially designed cages and safely transported to the FOU Zone ‘B’ headquarters in Kaduna to ensure their well-being.
Confirming the development, Comptroller Aminu Sule ordered a comprehensive investigation to uncover the origin and intended destination of the animals. He emphasized that the interception serves as a clear warning to traffickers, stressing that the zone will not be used as a transit route for the illegal trade in endangered species.
The statement further noted that the operation is in line with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which seeks to protect threatened wildlife from extinction.
The seizure underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws, preserving biodiversity, and dismantling illegal wildlife trafficking networks.