The Federal Operations Unit FOU, Zone ‘A’ , Lagos of the Nigeria Customs Service has three live pangolins in renewed onslaught against smuggling and illegal wildlife trade.

Acting Controller of the Unit,   Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, who has been speaking on the seizure, disclosed that the animals were intercepted during an anti-smuggling operation along Oyo Dam at Igbo- Ora in Ogun State.

According to him, the consignment was seized Monday, October 12, 2026 at approximately 0905hrs, when officers of the Unit, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a sack conveying the endangered animals concealed in a wire mesh cage.

It was gathered that upon sighting the Customs patrol team, the suspected traffickers abandoned the consignment and fled into the surrounding swamp, leaving behind the animals.

The acting Controller, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement Oluwaseun Oguntuase during a media briefing to showcase the seized animals, described the seizure as a significant milestone in the Service’s sustained campaign against wildlife trafficking, smuggling and other transnational organised crimes.

He commended the operatives for their vigilance, and prompt response, noting that the operation underscored the Unit’s resolve to protect Nigeria’s biodiversity and disrupt criminal networks exploiting the country’s borders and waterways.

Pangolins are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CITES, and their illegal trade remains a serious threat to wildlife conservation.

He warned that persons involved in the smuggling, possession, transportation or commercialization of endangered species risk prosecution and severe penalties under applicable Nigerian laws.

It was further gathered that to guarantee their safety and welfare, the three rescued pangolins have been handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre for safekeeping, rehabilitation and appropriate management.

“I want to put on record that FOU Zone ‘A’ under my watch would continue to intensify patrols, intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency collaboration across its area of responsibility and so smugglers and their collaborators should be warned.

“We further reaffirm the commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and indeed the entire Service to securing Nigeria’s borders, protecting endangered species and supporting national and international efforts against illegal wildlife trade”, Afeni said.