The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Lagos in collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) recorded a major breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to combat Wildlife crime and protect endangered species with the interception of 22pcs of Elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg, 4 male suspects and a vehicle.
The information was contained in a press release signed by Hussaini Abdullahi, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Public Relations Officer, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, where the Command reaffirmed its resolve to intensify anti-smuggling operations, safeguard the nation’s economy, and ensure strict adherence to customs laws and regulations.
The arrest was made possible through a well coordinated intelligence gathering, surveillance, and investigation into an organized Wildlife trafficking syndicate operating within and beyond our borders led by the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A and the SIS A team of our Customs Intelligence Unit, with the support of the aforementioned strategic partners.
The seizure was effected at about 1630hrs on 13th June 2026 at Ofada, Mowe, Ogun State and other targets arrested within Lagos, simultaneously.
The seized Elephant tusks in Asia, has black market value equivalent to One Hundred and Twenty-Six Million, Three Hundred and Ninety-One, Four Hundred and Forty Naira (N126, 390,440.00) only.
Both the recovered specimen and the suspects are in custody pending further investigation and prosecution.
The comptroller Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Gambo Aliyu described the seizure as a clear demonstration of the unit’ commitment to enforcing national and international Wildlife protection laws as contained in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which Nigeria is a signatory. Section 55 (1) para 1 (i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 prohibit the illegal trade in endangered species.
This seizure also underscores ongoing enforcement efforts to stop illegal wildlife trade and protect biodiversity.
The comptroller appreciates all the relevant stakeholders, especially NESREA & WJC for their invaluable contribution, without which this would have been a nullity. He urged them to sustain the tempo so as to nip the activities of criminal elements who exploit Nigeria as a transit route for their nefarious activities. He appeal to the public to assist the Nigeria Customs Service by reporting suspicious shipments, activities, or anyone with information relating to Wildlife trafficking syndicates to come forward as Customs will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those found to be in violation of the law.