In a major strike against wildlife trafficking in Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), supported by the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), arrested five suspects and seized 3.765 tonnes of pangolin scales in Lagos, an amount estimated to represent the killing of over 1,900 pangolins.
This marks the largest global seizure of pangolin scales reported so far in 2025 and underscores Nigeria’s increasing role in tackling transnational wildlife trafficking.
The successful operation was driven by intelligence provided by the WJC and targeted a high-volume supply chain network based in Lagos, specifically the well-known Lekki Arts and Crafts Market (Jakande Market). On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, a suspected key broker was apprehended, along with over one tonne of pangolin scales.
Follow-up intelligence led officers to a warehouse in Efiran, where the alleged network leader, a second suspected broker, and two employees were arrested, and a further 2.762 tonnes of scales were recovered.
“This operation underscores the power of intelligence-led law enforcement in tackling transnational wildlife crime,” said Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Executive Director of the Wildlife Justice Commission.
“Congratulations to the Nigeria Customs Service on another outstanding result this year. These arrests were made possible because WJC and NCS followed the money, demonstrating how financial investigations are a critical tool in identifying choke points, exposing key actors, to enable systematic dismantling of the top tier layer of major criminal networks.
“By targeting key actors and disrupting criminal operations from the top down and across global supply chains, we can disrupt organised wildlife crime and help prevent species from being driven to extinction,” added Swaak-Goldman.
This latest success highlights a broader shift in Nigeria’s wildlife trafficking landscape. What was once viewed as a low-risk, high-reward activity is now increasingly recognised by traffickers as a high-risk endeavour, thanks to the strategic and sustained enforcement actions by NCS and the WJC.
According to the WJC, it has been working in close partnership with the NCS since July 2021, providing intelligence analysis, investigative support, and evidentiary assistance. To date, this collaboration has facilitated 18 joint operations, leading to 42 arrests, the seizure of more than 25 tonnes of pangolin scales and over one tonne of ivory, and 12 successful convictions.
Among those convicted are a Vietnamese kingpin, his two associates, and two high-level shipping facilitators who were working for many of the Lagos-based organised crime networks.
“Our technical assistance has contributed to 95% of all pangolin scales seizures reported in Nigeria during this period. Notably, no significant seizures of African pangolin scales have been reported at any seaports globally for over three years, signaling a major disruption in transnational trafficking routes. This disruption also helps reduce pressure on the species, allowing populations a chance to recover,” disclosed the WJC in a statement made available to EnviroNews on Tuesday, April 8.
To further inform the global response, the WJC noted that it would soon release a new report analysing ivory and pangolin scale trafficking trends over the past decade. Covering the period from 2015 to 2024, the report draws on seizure data, open-source research, and criminal intelligence.
“It offers critical insights into how trafficking operations have adapted and aims to support more targeted and effective law enforcement and policy responses worldwide,” submitted the WJC, adding:
“The WJC and Nigeria Customs Service remain steadfast in their commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal networks and ensuring that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for wildlife traffickers.”