The Nigeria Customs Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Lagos, frustrates the illicit activities of some syndicates specialized in wildlife smuggling as it intercepts numerous pieces of elephant tusks
By Innocent Chukwu
The Nigeria Customs Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja Lagos, has successfully dismantled a wildlife trafficking syndicate through a joint operation conducted with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC).
The intelligence-led operation resulted in the interception of 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing a total of 130.84 kilograms, the arrest of four male suspects, and the seizure of the vehicle used for conveying the illicit cargo.
In a statement issued by the Customs Zone A Command, the operation was made possible through extensive intelligence gathering, surveillance, and investigations into an organized wildlife trafficking network operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
The operation was coordinated by the FOU Zone A, and a Team of the Customs Intelligence Unit(CIU) with support from NESREA and the WJC.
The seizure was effected at about 4:30 p.m. on June 13, 2026, in Ofada, Mowe, Ogun State, while the suspects were simultaneously apprehended at various locations in Lagos.
FOU disclosed that the seized elephant tusks have an estimated black-market value in Asia of N126.39 million.
The recovered wildlife specimens and the suspects remain in custody pending the conclusion of investigations and subsequent prosecution.
Speaking on the development, the Customs Area Controller(CAC ) of FOU Zone A, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, described the seizure as a clear demonstration of the unit’s commitment to enforcing national and international wildlife protection laws.
He noted that the operation was in line with Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which the country is a signatory.
He further cited Section 55(1)(i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which prohibits the illegal trade in endangered species.
“This seizure underscores our ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and protect biodiversity,” Comptroller Aliyu stated.
The Customs chief commended NESREA and the Wildlife Justice Commission for their invaluable support, noting that the success of the operation was a testament to effective inter-agency collaboration.
He urged the agencies to sustain the momentum in combating criminal networks that exploit Nigeria as a transit route for wildlife trafficking and other transnational crimes.
Comptroller Aliyu also appealed to members of the public to support the Nigeria Customs Service by reporting suspicious shipments, activities, or individuals linked to wildlife trafficking.
He assured that the Service would continue to take decisive enforcement actions against anyone found violating wildlife protection laws.
