The Federal Operations Unit, FOU Zone ‘B’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted two live pangolins being illegally transported along the Kano–Jigawa axis, reinforcing its ongoing crackdown on the smuggling of endangered species.
The seizure, which occurred on March 12, 2026, followed a routine stop-and-search operation by operatives of the Unit as part of intensified enforcement measures across key transit routes.
According to the Service, the interception was carried out in line with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, a global agreement aimed at ensuring that international trade does not threaten the survival of wildlife species.
Following the interception, the animals were secured in protective cages and transported to the Unit’s headquarters in Kaduna. A physical examination revealed that each of the pangolins weighed approximately 15 kilogrammes.
The Comptroller of the Unit, Aminu Sule, has since ordered a comprehensive investigation to uncover the source and intended destination of the animals.
“This seizure sends a clear message that Zone ‘B’ will not be a transit point for wildlife traffickers,” he stated.
Widely regarded as one of the most trafficked mammals globally, pangolins remain highly vulnerable to illegal trade, driven by demand for their scales and meat.
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