By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’, has intensified its efforts to combat the illegal trade of endangered species following the successful interception of live pangolins along the Kano–Takai–Jigawa road.

This latest operation, which occurred on March 26, 2026, highlights the agency’s commitment to protecting wildlife and enforcing environmental laws within the region.

The seizure took place around 1:00 p.m. when Customs operatives, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a suspicious vehicle during a routine patrol. Upon conducting a thorough search, the officers discovered the live pangolins concealed within the vehicle.

This marks the second major interception of its kind within a fortnight, following a similar operation carried out on March 12 along the same axis.

According to a statement issued by the unit’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Mohammad Balarabe, these enforcement actions are in strict compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). As a signatory to this international treaty, Nigeria is obligated to prohibit and penalize trade that threatens the survival of endangered species like the pangolin.

The rescued animals from both recent operations have been transported to the FOU Zone ‘B’ headquarters in Kaduna for documentation. They are scheduled to be handed over to relevant wildlife conservation authorities for rehabilitation and eventual release back into a safe habitat. This process ensures that the animals receive the necessary care after the trauma of being trafficked.

The Comptroller of the Unit, Aminu Sule, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident with the goal of dismantling the criminal syndicate behind the illegal trade. He emphasized that the frequency of these seizures twice in two weeks demonstrates the heightened surveillance and operational vigilance of his team in curbing the activities of traffickers.

Comptroller Sule further sent a stern warning to smugglers, stating that Zone ‘B’ will not serve as a transit point or a safe haven for wildlife trafficking. He noted that pangolins are the most trafficked mammals globally due to the illegal demand for their scales and meat, and the Customs Service remains resolute in its mission to safeguard Nigeria’s biodiversity and fulfill global conservation obligations.