Customs intercept three live pangolins in Ogun State smuggling case

The Nigeria Customs Service has caught three live pangolins that were allegedly being smuggled through Ogun State. This seizure shows the illegal trade of one of the most trafficked animals in the world.

The endangered pangolins were intercepted by officers from the Ogun I Area Command, Idiroko, at Abeokuta waterside. This happened thanks to reliable information, according to the command.

The animals were found in wire-mesh cages and hidden inside sacks. Customs described this as an attempt to avoid being caught. The suspected traffickers ran away when they saw the Customs patrol team.

Chado Zakari, the spokesperson for the command, said the way the animals were hidden shows the cruelty of the illegal wildlife trade.
"The pangolins were found tightly bound in sacks, a cruel method of concealment used by wildlife traffickers to evade detection," Mr Zakari said.

He added that the packaging suggests this seizure might be linked to a larger wildlife-trafficking operation.
"Upon inspection, officers discovered three pangolins confined in wire mesh cages and concealed within a sack. The sophisticated packaging suggests the involvement of an organised smuggling syndicate," he explained.

After the interception, Abdulhamid Ibrahim, the Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Command, handed the three pangolins over to Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation. They will take care of the animals and eventually release them into a safe habitat.

Mr Ibrahim said this seizure shows the command’s commitment to fight wildlife trafficking while also doing their regular anti-smuggling work.
He warned people involved in illegal wildlife trade to stop.
"Trafficking pangolins and their derivatives attracts severe penalties. Under the recently passed Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, offenders risk fines of up to N12 million and prison terms of up to 10 years.

The Nigeria Customs Service, along with Green Finger Wildlife and other partners, is serious about enforcing these laws to protect the nation’s wildlife," Mr Ibrahim said.

He praised the officers who took part in the operation and said the command would keep working with conservation groups to fight illegal wildlife trade.

Isaac Ime, the Administrative Manager/Supervisor of Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation, thanked the Customs command for catching the animals.
Mr Ime promised that the organisation will provide proper care for the rescued pangolins and help them rehabilitate before releasing them into a safe area.

This seizure comes as worries rise about Nigeria’s role in international pangolin trafficking.
Researchers have noted that Nigeria is a major transit point for pangolin trafficking, with Nigerian-related seizures involving hundreds of thousands of kilograms of pangolin scales over the years.