By ebosele@hotmail.com –
The Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has disrupted an alleged wildlife trafficking operation along the Daura/Kano axis, rescuing 48 endangered animals and birds and arresting three suspects in an intelligence-led operation.
City Business News reports that the interception was made by Customs patrol officers acting on credible intelligence, after the suspects allegedly offered them N3 million to allow the consignment have what they described as a “smooth passage,” but the officers rejected the offer and insisted on carrying out the Service’s mandate to fight wildlife trafficking.
Speaking during the formal handover of the recovered wildlife, the Acting Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Muhammad Zanna, who represented the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Usman Adamu, said the conduct of the officers during the operation reflected the integrity expected of Customs personnel.
“The operation was carried out by our patrol team based on credible intelligence at exactly 2030hrs on Tuesday 25 August, 2026, when the officers intercepted the endangered wildlife and apprehended three suspects along the Daura/Kano Road. Commendably, the operatives demonstrated a high level of professionalism during the operation as the suspects made multiple attempts to offer them bribe, but insisted that the Service’s mandate to fight wildlife trafficking must not be compromised.” Ag. DC Zanna said.
He said the recovery included four caracal wild cats, four chimpanzees, two baby gorillas, seven red-coloured patas monkeys, two galagos, one honey badger, two albino alligators, six rock fowls, one civet cat and 19 greater bustard wild birds.
According to Zanna, “This gallant effort has therefore disrupted this supply chain and will play a huge role in reducing the trafficking of endangered wildlife. Equally, three suspects and the recovered animals had been handed over to the representative of the Special Wildlife Office of the NCS Headquarters for further investigation and prosecution.”
He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and his Management Team for their continued support towards protecting Nigeria’s borders and preventing the illicit trafficking of endangered wildlife, while praising the officers involved for their courage, vigilance and integrity in rejecting the N3 million bribe and standing firm in the line of duty.
The Kano/Jigawa Area Command said the interception was carried out in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), reaffirming its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to combat wildlife trafficking and protect Nigeria’s biodiversity.
