By Tunde Ojudun
In a decisive move to uphold Nigeria’s commitment to wildlife conservation and international treaties, operatives of the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted a blue Mazda vehicle (registration number MUS 743 HA) during a routine stop-and-search operation at Gbaji, along the Badagry–Seme Expressway, in the early hours of Sunday, 16 November 2025, at approximately 2:19 AM.
Upon inspection, officers discovered one lion cub and two patas monkeys being transported in violation of Nigeria’s wildlife protection laws and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Two individuals—Mr. Mathew Kofi, a Beninese national, and Mr. Nasiru Usman Gwandu, a Nigerian—claimed ownership of the animals and admitted to purchasing them in Kano with the intent to smuggle them into the Republic of Benin.
The animals were immediately confiscated and transferred to the Command headquarters for documentation. The suspects were taken into custody for further investigation to determine the extent of their involvement in wildlife trafficking.
For proper care and expert handling, the endangered animals were formally handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative later that same day. The handover was conducted by Deputy Comptroller AY Mohammed (DC Administration) on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga.
Comptroller Adenuga reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering dedication to enforcing environmental protection laws and safeguarding Nigeria’s biodiversity. He emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in combating the illegal trade in endangered species and reiterated the Command’s resolve to ensure strict compliance with all relevant national and international regulations.