Again, Customs seize N1.7bn Pangolin scales in Lagos

By Seun Ibiyemi

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said that its officers have again, for the second time in two months, intercepted a huge cache of Pangolin scale worth N1.7billion in Lagos.

The NCS revealed that findings have indicated that Nigeria is a conduit pipe being used by a yet to be identified international cartel in this illegal trade.

Recall that the NCS in August had intercepted a huge catche of Pangolin scales worth N22billion in Lagos.

Addressing journalists in Lagos, on Monday, the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Alli stated that investigations are ongoing to reveal the country where the Pangolin scales are being brought in from to Nigeria.

According to the Customs CG who was represented by the NCS Spokesman, Joseph Attah, “It’s my pleasure to brief you on the success story of the Nigeria Customs Service ongoing crackdown on illegal wild life trade.

“Even though this criminality is not essentially a Nigerian thing, sadly some foreigners with the active connivance of few Nigerians are bent on using our dear country as a transit route for illegal wildlife trade.

“You will recall that Nigeria Customs Service acting on credible intelligence provided by our international partners about two months ago, announced wildlife seizure worth over N22billion with arrested suspects currently facing prosecution.

“In the course of further investigation to arrest other members of the gang, we received another credible intelligence from the same international partner, Wild Life Justice Commission, and swiftly deployed our intelligence operatives with the Strike Force as a SWOT team. This led to the interception of One Mercedes Benz Bus with registration number BGT 256 LG along Kudirat Abiola Way Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos.”