FOU ‘A’ Foils Wildlife Trafficking, Intercepts 4 Live Pangolins
FOU ‘A’ Foils Wildlife Trafficking, Intercepts 4 Live Pangolins
By Success Okezie
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, has recorded a major success in the protection of Nigeria’s biodiversity and the enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) with the interception of four live pangolins in Lagos waterways.
According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Unit, Chief Superintendent of Customs Hussaini Abdullahi, the interception occurred during a targeted patrol based on credible intelligence.
He explained that at about 18:33 hours on Thursday, January 15, 2026, Customs operatives stopped a wooden boat conveying four live pangolins kept in wire mesh cages along the waterways of Alapa Creek, Ajilete. The manner in which the animals were caged, he noted, pointed to the activities of a well-coordinated smuggling syndicate.
Upon sighting the patrol team, the suspects reportedly fled into the creeks, abandoning both the boat and the endangered animals.
To safeguard the welfare of the rescued pangolins, the seized animals were handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre on Friday, January 16, 2026, at about 07:00 hours. The handover was carried out by the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement, DC Oluwaseun Oguntuase, on behalf of the Comptroller, FOU Zone A, Gambo Aliyu.
Commending the officers involved in the operation, Comptroller Aliyu praised their courage, vigilance and professionalism, especially during the nighttime patrol. He charged all personnel of the Unit to remain alert and committed in the fight against trans-border crimes, including wildlife trafficking.
The Comptroller further reaffirmed the Unit’s resolve to strictly enforce wildlife protection laws and to continue collaborating with relevant stakeholders to eliminate the illegal trade in endangered species.
Similarly, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, applauded the officers for their dedication to CITES enforcement. He stressed that the successful interception reflects his administration’s zero-tolerance policy against individuals and groups undermining Nigeria’s CITES obligations and economic
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