The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reported the seizure of 9,493 kg of pangolin scales, marking one of the largest wildlife crime busts in recent years. Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Adewale Adeniyi announced the significant achievement in a statement on Saturday in Lagos, emphasizing the service’s commitment to combating wildlife trafficking on a global scale.
The operation yielded 2,293 kg of pangolin scales in the Kano/Kaduna area, leading to the arrest of two individuals. In Lagos, an additional 7.2 tonnes of pangolin scales were seized, with two more arrests made. This coordinated effort, conducted in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), aims to dismantle criminal networks involved in the trafficking of endangered species across Africa.
Since 2021, these operations have resulted in the interception of nearly 20 tonnes of pangolin scales, which equates to the loss of over 30,000 pangolins. The operations, targeting criminal syndicates engaged in the international trade of pangolin scales, reflect the NCS’s ongoing dedication to wildlife protection.