CUSTOMS FOIL SMUGGLING OF 48 ENDANGERED ANIMALS IN KANO, JIGAWA

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 48 endangered wildlife species in a single day.

The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Controller of Customs Usman Adamu, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists at the Customs House in Bompai, Kano.

According to him, the animals were intercepted on August 25, 2026, and included 15 primates comprising chimpanzees, gorillas and bush babies.

The seizure also included wild cats such as civets and caracals, as well as 25 wild birds, including greater bustards and rock fowls.

Adamu added that two albino crocodiles and a honey badger were among the endangered animals recovered by the command.

He said three suspects arrested in connection with the interception had been transferred to the Special Wildlife Office at the NCS Headquarters for further investigation and necessary action.

The acting controller described the seizure as possibly the largest and most diverse single wildlife interception recorded in the history of the Nigeria Customs Service and potentially in the West African sub-region.

He said the interception demonstrated the scale of the alleged trafficking operation and reaffirmed the command’s determination to protect Nigeria’s biodiversity and enforce international wildlife protection obligations.

Adamu added that the command had, from July 2026 to date, recorded seizures and detentions with a combined Duty Paid Value exceeding N2bn.

He recalled that the command generated N63.07bn in revenue during the first half of the year, while its year-to-date revenue collection had risen to N88.92bn.

He noted that the figure represented an increase of about N25bn from July 2026 to date, adding that July recorded the highest monthly revenue collection in the command’s history, with more than N14bn generated.

Adamu assured that Customs officers would continue to intensify surveillance and enforcement efforts to prevent activities that violate existing Customs laws.

“Our officers will continue to remain vigilant in identifying and preventing activities that fall outside these laws,” he added.