The Kano/Jigawa command of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized 2,179 kilogrammes of pangolin scales in a joint enforcement operation with the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC).
A statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SC Saidu Nuruddeen, said one suspect had been arrested in Mubi, Adamawa State, in connection with the matter.
Nuruddeen said the command was supported by Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone D and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) in seizing the pangolin scales.
He said the achievement was a testament to the command’s commitment to fight all forms of crime, supporting global efforts to fight wildlife crime while protecting Nigeria’s wildlife and preserving the country’s biodiversity.
“The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Kano/Jigawa Command in a joint enforcement operation with the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) under the leadership of Comptroller Dauda Ibrahim Chana made another significant breakthrough in combating wildlife trafficking on the 5th of December 2024.
“The WJC provided actionable intelligence, supported the investigation with their expertise and followed up with the NCS enforcement operation.
“A trained Customs enforcement team led by Kano/Jigawa Command successfully intercepted and effected the arrest and seizure from two warehouses in Mubi.
“This achievement is a testament to the command’s commitment to fight all forms of crime, supporting global efforts to fight wildlife crime while protecting Nigeria’s wildlife and preserving the country’s biodiversity,” Nuruddeen said.
He said this was the third major seizure of pangolin scales by NCS and WJC in 2024.
He said since the partnership began, 21,582 kilogrammes of pangolin scales had been seized in Nigeria by the Sevice as a result of the NCS and WJC partnership.
The public relations officer said 54 percent of this amount, or 11,673.2 kilogrammes had been seized in 2024 alone, and 4,473.2kg of this is by the NCS Kano /Jigawa command.
He said the perpetrators would be prosecuted accordingly “and the service will leave no stone unturned to further apprehend anyone connected to this criminal network.”
“The CAC commends the bravery and professionalism of the team of officers deployed and expertise of WJC.
“He most importantly appreciates the support of the Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his management team.
“He promises to continue to work tirelessly to prevent the trafficking of endangered species and all non-custom goods.
“This operation demonstrates the power of collaboration; the NCS and WJC force, and it also reaffirms NCS’ dedication to combating wildlife trafficking,” he said.
By Aminu Garko
