Customs seizes Pangolin scales worth N3.9bn in Kaduna, vows to protect endangered species
By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operation Unit Zone “B” Kaduna has made a significant seizure of pangolin scales worth N3.9 billion, reaffirming its commitment to protecting endangered species.
Comptroller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, addressing journalists in Kaduna on Wednesday, revealed that personnel from the unit raided a slaughterhouse in Kebbi State on May 24, 2024, following an intelligence report. The seized pangolin scales, worth N3,955,596,000, are a significant blow to illegal wildlife trade and a testament to the unit’s dedication to enforcing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
This seizure demonstrates the customs unit’s resolve to safeguard pangolins and other endangered animals from extinction, aligning with global efforts to protect biodiversity.
Meanwhile, the Comptroller who identified pangolin as an endangered specie stressed that the seized scales weighed 445.45kg and as such, NCS will continue to partner CITES to forestall the identified species from from going into extinction even as Nigeria is a signatory to the CITES convention.
Shuaibu further disclosed that one suspect has been arrested in connection with the seizure while the main suspect is on the run. The Unit according to him, in collaboration with other sister agencies are on high gear to ensure that the suspect is brought to book.
“We declared our resolve not to allow illegal trading in endangered wildlife species and other smuggling activities to thrive in the Zone. Our operatives have upped-the-ante in the combat against smuggling of protected species and successfully intercepted a consignment of Pangolin scale and its derivatives within Kebbi state axis of the Zone.
“Acting on actionable intelligence the operatives storm a hideout known as (slaughter house) in the suburbs of Zuru Town in Kebbi State on Friday, May 24 2024 at about 1600hrs. The team discovered and evacuated sacks of pangolin scales which were transported to the HQ of FOU Zone ‘B’ in Kaduna.
After careful examination and counting, the pangolin scales weighed 445.45kg.
“Let me once again explain that the pangolin specie is one of the endangered species that is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flaura (CITES). It is instructive that Nigeria is signatory to the CITES Convention and all forms of trading in this species are clearly illegal.
“The Nigeria Customs Service will continue to partner CITES to forestall the identified species from going into extinction. The value of this seizure at the International market is Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifty-Five Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand Naira (#3,955,596,000.00) only.
“One Suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure while the main suspect is currently at large. However, the Unit in collaboration with other sister agencies will not rest on its oars until the main suspect is arrested and brought to book.
“The offence contravene Section 55 (1) paragraph C and I of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023. The success of this operation lies in robust intelligence sharing between the NCS and Wild life Office and the resilience by operatives of the Unit to leverage and utilize the coordinates given to them to make this arrest.
“From empirical evidence, we make bold to say that those involved in the illegal trafficking of endangered species are hiding under it to launder money used in procuring drugs, arms and other illegal merchandise. You can imagine the havoc this may have caused if it had escaped the eagle eyes of our operatives.” He said.
