The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted a large consignment of suspected trafficked wildlife and arrested three men during an intelligence-driven operation along the Kano-Daura Road.

The seizure was made at about 8:30 p.m. on August 25, 2026, following intelligence on the movement of endangered animals through the route.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Tahir Balarabe.

Speaking at the handover of the animals, the Acting Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Muhammad Zanna, who represented the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Usman Adamu, said the operation was based on credible intelligence.

According to him, the suspects attempted several times to bribe the officers to secure their release, but the patrol team refused the offers.

Zanna commended the officers for maintaining professionalism and integrity, saying the interception had disrupted a suspected wildlife trafficking network.

Items recovered from the consignment included four caracal wild cats, four chimpanzees, two baby gorillas, seven red patas monkeys, two galagos, one honey badger, two albino alligators, six rock fowls, one civet cat and 19 greater bustard wild birds.

The three suspects and the seized animals have since been transferred to a representative of the Special Wildlife Office at the NCS headquarters for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Zanna also acknowledged the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the Service in efforts to strengthen border protection and tackle illegal wildlife trafficking.

He said the seizure reflected the NCS’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity and preventing criminal networks from exploiting the country’s borders to move endangered species.

The command said the operation was conducted in line with Section 55(1)(i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The NCS consequently warned individuals and organised groups involved in the illegal wildlife trade to stop the practice, adding that it would continue working with relevant agencies and stakeholders to safeguard endangered species and Nigeria’s wildlife resources.