Customs nabs wildlife traffickers in Maiduguri

By Fredrick Ameh

The Nigeria Customs Service has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against wildlife trafficking after intercepting endangered species and smuggled goods in coordinated operations across the North-East.

Operatives of the Borno/Yobe Area Command made the seizures along Kano Road in Maiduguri, rescuing protected animals including hyenas, a porcupine, and several African crowned cranes concealed in a vehicle.

Authorities confirmed that the species are protected under international frameworks, underscoring the gravity of the offence.

Customs Area Controller Abdullahi Idris reiterated the Service’s zero-tolerance stance on wildlife trafficking, stressing that safeguarding endangered species is a critical national and global responsibility.

In a related operation along the Nguru–Gashua axis, officers also intercepted a separate consignment of smuggled goods disguised with agricultural products, further exposing the tactics traffickers use to evade detection.

Officials say the combined seizures reinforce Customs’ expanding role not only in revenue protection but also in environmental security, as the agency intensifies collaboration with partners to dismantle illegal wildlife trade networks and preserve Nigeria’s biodiversity.