Customs Intercepts Endangered Pangolins in Ogun State Anti-Smuggling Operation

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), specifically the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ based in Ikeja, Lagos, has successfully intercepted three live pangolins during a recent anti-smuggling operation. The rescue took place near the Oyo Dam in the Igbo-Ora area of Ogun State, marking a significant intervention against the illegal wildlife trade that threatens the nation’s biodiversity.

Details of the Operation

According to a statement released on Sunday, October 25, 2026, by the Acting Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Oladapo Afeni, the interception occurred on October 12, 2026. Acting on intelligence reports, Customs officers located the animals, which were being transported in a wire-mesh cage hidden inside a sack.

Upon noticing the approaching patrol team, the suspected traffickers abandoned their illicit cargo and fled into the nearby swampy terrain, successfully evading immediate arrest. Despite the suspects’ escape, the recovery of the animals is being viewed as a major success for the unit’s ongoing enforcement efforts.

Commitment to Biodiversity and Conservation

Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, who represented Afeni during the announcement, praised the officers for their alertness and rapid response. He emphasized that the operation highlights the unit’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks that utilize Nigeria’s borders and waterways to conduct illegal trade.

The rescued pangolins have since been transferred to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre. At the facility, the animals are receiving professional care, rehabilitation, and the necessary oversight to ensure their survival.

Legal Protection and Future Warnings

Pangolins are classified as protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This international agreement is designed to regulate the trade of wildlife to prevent the depletion of species that are at risk of extinction. The illegal trafficking of these animals is considered a direct threat to global conservation efforts and local ecological stability.

In light of the incident, the FOU Zone ‘A’ leadership has issued a stern warning to those engaged in the wildlife trade. Comptroller Afeni reiterated that the unit remains committed to sustaining its enforcement activities. He noted that the Customs Service would continue to leverage intelligence-driven operations, intensified patrols, and inter-agency collaboration to safeguard endangered species and disrupt the illegal wildlife market across the region.

Source: lindaikejisblog.com