The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, has made a major breakthrough in its fight against wildlife trafficking, intercepting four live pangolins during a night time patrol in the Ajilete waterways.
According to a statement by SC Hussaini Abdullahi, Public Relations Officer of the unit, the operation took place at approximately 6:33 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Acting on credible intelligence, officers intercepted a wooden boat along Alapa Creek carrying the endangered animals confined in wire mesh cages. The suspects fled into the surrounding creeks, abandoning both the boat and the animals.
The pangolins, protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), were transferred to the Wildlife Conservation Centre for safekeeping at 7:00 a.m. the following day. The handover was conducted by Deputy Comptroller AO Oguntuase on behalf of Comptroller Gambo Aliyu.
Comptroller Aliyu commended the officers for their bravery and professionalism, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in combating trans-border crimes. He reiterated the unit’s unwavering commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws and collaborating with stakeholders to eradicate the illegal trade in endangered species.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, also praised the team’s efforts, highlighting the operation as a testament to the Service’s zero-tolerance policy toward wildlife trafficking and its dedication to upholding Nigeria’s CITES obligations.