The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, has rescued five live pangolins abandoned by suspected traffickers along the Igbo-Ora-Imeko-Afon axis of Ogun State.
The rescue of the five animals is coming barely seven days after a similar rescue operation was made.
The operation, conducted at about 1am on Friday, October 23, followed intelligence on the suspected movement of endangered wildlife.
The suspected traffickers reportedly fled on sighting Customs officers, abandoning the animals concealed in wire-mesh cages.
The rescued pangolins were handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre for safekeeping, rehabilitation and eventual release into a protected habitat.
The Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, who conducted the handover on behalf of the Acting Controller of FOU Zone A, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, said the interception of wildlife consignments within about seven days underscored the need for investigations to identify and dismantle the smuggling syndicates.
Oguntuase reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to combating wildlife trafficking through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with conservation agencies.
‘Pangolins are among the world’s most trafficked mammals. This seizure is another clear warning to those involved in the illegal wildlife trade that Nigeria’s borders and transport corridors remain under active surveillance,’ he said.
He warned that those involved in wildlife trafficking would face the full weight of the law.
Receiving the animals, Dr Austin Tochukwu of the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre, commended Customs for its intervention and assured that the centre would provide the necessary care and facilitate the pangolins’ rehabilitation and eventual release into a protected environment.
The Customs Service reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity and enforcing relevant national and international wildlife protection laws.