CUSTOMS RESCUES FIVE PANGOLINS IN OGUN AS WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING PROBE DEEPENS

CUSTOMS RESCUES FIVE PANGOLINS IN OGUN AS WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING PROBE DEEPENS 


By Jennifer Nwosu 

The Nigeria Customs Service has rescued five live pangolins during an intelligence-led anti-smuggling operation in Ogun State, raising fresh concerns about the illegal trade in endangered wildlife and the networks behind it.

In a statement released by the Public Relations Officer for the Acting Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Hussaini Abdullahi,  the service said its' patrol team intercepted the animals at about 1:18 a.m. on Friday, October 23, along the Igbo-Ora/Imeko-Afon axis of Ogun State.

The pangolins were found confined in wire-mesh cages and concealed in a manner intended to evade detection. The suspected traffickers abandoned the animals and fled when they sighted Customs officers.

The rescued animals were subsequently handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre for safekeeping, rehabilitation and eventual release into a protected habitat. Deputy Comptroller Oluwaseun Oguntuase, in charge of enforcement, conducted the handover on behalf of the Acting Controller of FOU Zone A, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni.

Oguntuase said the interception, following another wildlife seizure within approximately seven days, highlighted the need for further investigations to identify and dismantle the syndicates involved in trafficking endangered species.

He said the operation formed part of the service's efforts to combat wildlife crime and enforce Nigeria's obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), alongside relevant national legislation.

Pangolins are among the world's most trafficked mammals. Their inclusion in Appendix I of CITES prohibits international commercial trade in wild-caught specimens and their derivatives, subject to the convention's applicable provisions. Nigeria's Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act also provides legal protections against the unlawful capture and trade of protected species.

Oguntuase said FOU Zone A would sustain intelligence-driven patrols, strengthen cooperation with conservation organisations and other relevant agencies, and pursue those responsible for wildlife trafficking.

Receiving the animals, Dr Austin Tochukwu of the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre commended Customs officers for their intervention. He said the organisation would provide the necessary care and work towards rehabilitating the pangolins before their eventual release into a safe, protected environment.


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