The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has recorded another significant victory in protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity and upholding commitments under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Operatives intercepted four live pangolins during a targeted patrol.
At approximately 18:33 hours on Thursday, January 15, 2026, a patrol team-acting on credible intelligence-stopped a wooden boat laden with the pangolins in wire mesh cages along the waterways of Alapa Creek, Ajilete. The caged animals indicated a deliberate smuggling syndicate. Upon spotting the officers, the suspects fled into the creeks, abandoning both the pangolins and the boat.
To ensure the animals’ welfare, the seized endangered species were handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre for safekeeping on January 16, 2026, at 07:00 hours. The handover was performed by Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement, DC AO Oguntuase, on behalf of Comptroller FOU Zone ‘A’, Gambo Aliyu.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, Ikeja, Hussaini Abdullahi, a Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC), Comptroller Aliyu praised the officers for their courage and professionalism during the nighttime operation, just as he charged all personnel to remain vigilant against trans-border crimes.
He reaffirmed the Unit’s commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws and partnering with stakeholders to eradicate trade in endangered species.
The statement also added that the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, commended the officers for their dedication to the enforcement of CITES, maintaining that the interception highlights his administration’s zero-tolerance stance against saboteurs undermining Nigeria’s CITES compliance and economic stability.
