Customs intercepts four live Pangolins in Ogun
Nigeria Customs Service Intercepts Endangered Pangolins in Ogun State
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ogun 1 Area Command has seized four live pangolins, a species listed as endangered, during an operation along the Yemoamota-Abule-Igboora route in Ogun State.
Deputy Superintendent Chado Zakari, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed the seizure in a statement released on Saturday in Ota. He emphasized that this action reflects the NCS’s ongoing commitment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The interception occurred around 3 a.m. on Thursday when a patrol team, acting on credible intelligence, stopped a motorcycle in the Yemoamota-Abule-Igboora and Ebute Igboora areas. During the inspection, officers found the pangolins confined in wire mesh cages and concealed within a sack.
Zakari noted that the sophisticated packaging raised suspicions about the involvement of an organized smuggling network. He reported that the suspects abandoned their motorcycle and the pangolins before fleeing into dense terrain as the evening fog set in.
Following the seizure, the NCS prioritized the welfare of the animals by transferring them to the Wildlife Conservation Centre on February 13, 2026. The handover was conducted by Assistant Comptroller Tajjudeen Bello, representing Acting Customs Area Comptroller Oladapo Afeni.
Afeni commended the officers for their courage and professionalism during the operation. He reiterated the command’s dedication to combating trans-border crime and collaborating with partners to eradicate the illegal trade in endangered species.
The acting area comptroller issued a warning to wildlife smugglers and traffickers, urging them to cease their activities. He assured that the command is fully prepared to track down and apprehend individuals violating wildlife protection laws.
