The Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has arrested three men and intercepted a consignment of suspected illegally trafficked wildlife along the Kano-Daura Road.
According to The Punch, the seizure was made on August 25, 2026, during an intelligence-driven operation targeting the illegal movement of endangered animals along the route.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Tahir Balarabe.
Speaking at the formal handover of the recovered animals, the Acting Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Muhammad Zanna, who represented the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Usman Adamu, said the operation was based on credible intelligence.
“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 disclosed that the suspects allegedly attempted several times to bribe the patrol officers but were unsuccessful, commending the team for maintaining professionalism and integrity.
“Commendably, our patrol officers demonstrated a high level of professionalism as the suspects made multiple attempts to offer them bribes. This gallant effort has disrupted this supply chain and will play a huge role in reducing the trafficking of endangered wildlife,” he said.
The Customs Service said an examination of the consignment uncovered four caracal wild cats, four chimpanzees, two baby gorillas, seven red patas monkeys, two galagos, one honey badger, two albino alligators, six rock fowls, one civet cat and 19 greater bustard wild birds.
The three suspects and the recovered animals were subsequently handed over to a representative of the Special Wildlife Office at the Customs headquarters for further investigation and prosecution.
Zanna commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the service for supporting efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders and tackle the illegal wildlife trade.
He also praised the officers involved for their vigilance, courage and integrity.
“This seizure demonstrates our resolve to protect Nigeria’s biodiversity and ensure that criminal networks cannot use our borders to traffic endangered species,” Zanna said.
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.
It warned individuals and criminal groups involved in wildlife trafficking to stop the illegal practice, stressing that it would continue working with relevant stakeholders to protect endangered species and preserve Nigeria’s biodiversity.
