Customs intercepts 48 wildlife, arrests three traffickers in Kano

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a consignment containing 48 wild animals and birds allegedly being trafficked along the Kano-Daura Road and arrested three suspects in connection with the shipment.

The operation was carried out on Tuesday evening by officers of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command as part of efforts to curb the illegal trade in endangered wildlife.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Tahir Balarabe, said the interception was conducted in accordance with Section 55(1)(i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, as well as Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Speaking during the formal handover of the recovered animals, the Acting Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement, Muhammad Zanna, said the suspects allegedly attempted several times to bribe the officers to allow the consignment through.

He said the officers rejected the offers and proceeded with the seizure, thereby disrupting what he described as an illegal wildlife trafficking network.

Physical examination of the consignment, according to Zanna, revealed four caracals, four chimpanzees, two baby gorillas, seven red patas monkeys and two galagos, also known as bush babies.

The recovered animals also included a honey badger, two albino alligators, six rock fowls, a civet cat and 19 greater bustard birds.

Zanna said the seizure demonstrated the importance of sustained enforcement against the illegal wildlife trade, particularly the trafficking of species protected under national and international conservation laws.

The three suspects and the recovered animals were subsequently handed over to a representative of the Special Wildlife Office at the NCS headquarters for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Zanna commended the customs officers involved in the operation for their vigilance and professionalism, particularly their refusal to compromise the investigation despite the alleged attempts to bribe them.

He said the NCS would continue to enforce laws aimed at preventing the trafficking of endangered species and dismantling illegal wildlife supply chains.