Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, have intercepted a consignment of illegally traded wildlife and arrested three male suspects along the Daura–Kano road after an intelligence-led night patrol.
Acting Controller of the Command,Usman Adams disclosed that the operation took place at about 8:30 p.m. on 25 August 2026 adding that the seizure was carried out under Section 55(1)(i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and in line with Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Adamu who was represented by Assistant Comptroller of Customs Muhammad Zanna, Acting Deputy Comptroller Enforcement, said
“The operation was carried out by our patrol team based on credible intelligence. The team intercepted the endangered wildlife and apprehended three suspects along the Daura/Kano Road. Commendably, our patrol officers demonstrated a high level of professionalism during the operation as the suspects made multiple attempts to offer them a bribe. This gallant effort has therefore disrupted this supply chain and will play a huge role in reducing the trafficking of endangered wildlife.”
The seizure was contained in a press release issued in Kano by Tahir Balarabe, the Command’s Public Relations Officer.
Balarabe,a Chief Superintendent of Customs disclosed in the release that a physical examination identified 48 animals in the consignment.
Among the seizures are 4 caracal wild cats, 4 chimpanzees, 2 baby gorillas, 7 red-coloured patas monkeys, 2 galagos (bush babies), 1 honey badger, 2 albino alligators,v6 rockfowl, 1 civet cat and 19 greater bustards
Chimpanzees and gorillas are among Africa’s most tightly protected primates. Commercial international trade in both species is banned under CITES Appendix I, and Nigerian law treats hunting, capture and trade in great apes as a serious offence.
Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees and gorillas are also among the species most frequently targeted by live-animal traffickers, who often move infants through northern Nigeria toward buyers abroad.
The intercepted animals and the three suspects have been handed over to the Special Wildlife Office at Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters for further investigation and prosecution.
Zanna thanked Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and the NCS management for support to border and wildlife enforcement. He also commended the patrol officers for courage, vigilance and integrity after they refused bribes during the stop.
The command said it would keep working with other agencies to disrupt trafficking networks and protect Nigeria’s biodiversity. It warned that anyone involved in the illegal wildlife trade would face continued enforcement.
The seizure is one of several recent wildlife cases on the Kano–Jigawa axis, where Customs and partner agencies have also intercepted pangolins, a lion cub and other protected species. Officials say the Daura–Kano corridor remains a known transit route for smuggled goods and live animals.
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