Customs Intercept Endangered Animals, Arrest 3 Traffickers In Kano

The Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Area Command has intercepted 48 endangered wild animals and arrested three suspected traffickers along the Kano-Daura road.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the spokesman of the command, Tahir Balarabe, the animals were intercepted at about 8:30pm on August 25 following intelligence report received by the command.

He quoted the acting deputy comptroller, enforcement, Muhammad Zanna, to have disclosed that the operation was conducted by the command’s patrol team.

During the formal handover of the animals, Zanna, who spoke on behalf of the acting Customs area controller, Kano/Jigawa area command, Usman Adamu, said the suspects allegedly attempted several times to bribe the officers but failed.

“The operation was carried out by our patrol team based on credible intelligence at about 8:30pm on August 25, 2026.

“The team intercepted the endangered wildlife and apprehended three suspects along the Daura-Kano Road,” Zanna said.

He said the interception had disrupted a supply chain involved in the illegal trafficking of endangered wildlife.

According to him, physical examination of the consignment revealed four caracal wild cats, four chimpanzees, two baby gorillas, seven red patas monkeys and two galagos, also known as bush babies.

The consignment also contained one honey badger, two albino alligators, six rock fowls, one civet cat and 19 greater bustard wild birds.

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

The command said the operation was carried out in line with Section 55(1)(i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

The area command warned individuals and criminal networks involved in the illegal trade that it would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to disrupt activities threatening Nigeria’s biodiversity.