The Nigeria Customs Service in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) has made Nigeria’s largest seizures of pangolin scales in the last four years with a combined weight of 9,493 kg in a renewed onslaught against smugglers and traffickers of illegal wildlife.
Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who disclosed this in a press briefing in Lagos said the service joint operations with WSJ were effected in Lagos and Kano States while additional pangolin seizures by the service operatives were made in Kebbi
According to him, the achievement represents the largest seizure of pangolin scales globally since January 2020.He also said four persons were arrested in connection with the operation.
“The Kano/Kaduna operation yielded 2,293 tons of pangolin scales and led to two arrests while the Lagos operation resulted in the seizure of 7.2 tons of pangolin scales and two additional arrests.
“A total of 4 persons were arrested in connection with these operations: 2 in Kano and 2 in Lagos. These seizures bring the total amount of pangolin scales intercepted by NCS and the Wildlife Justice Commission to nearly 20 tons since 2021, representing the loss of over 30,000 pangolin species”
According to him, an operation in Kebbi state led to the seizure of 445.45 kg of pangolin scales and the arrest of one individual.
Adeniyi revealed that in a related international case, the service made substantial progress in an investigation linked to a shipment from Onne Port, Port Harcourt, which was intercepted at Hai Phong Port,Vietnam.
He said “the shipment contained 1,580 kg of elephant tusks. Three individuals, including both agents and sellers connected to this illegal export, have been arrested.”
The CGC mentioned that the threat to endangered species is unacceptable, and Nigeria will continue to work tirelessly with it’s partners to eradicate this illegal trade and ensure that those responsible face the full consequences of their actions.
“Our efforts extend beyond major cities and ports to include supply routes in northern Nigeria and border areas where many of these products illegally enter the country. We recognize the evolving tactics of trafficking networks and are adapting our strategies accordingly.
“The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to collaborating with domestic and international partners to combat wildlife trafficking and bring perpetrators to justice.”
The Customs Boss disclosed that the recent seizures of pharmaceuticals are part of a broader trend the service has observed. He explained that between May 2023 and August 2024 ,the Nigeria Customs Service recorded 48 seizures of restricted pharmaceuticals and medicaments. During the same period, 119 shipments of narcotics and Indian hemp were intercepted.
“On 15 October 2024, at Kachicares Resources Terminal, we examined a 40-foot container (No. SUDU8579006) declared to contain kitchenware. Upon inspection, we uncovered a concealment of 1,584 cartons of Barcadin Cough Syrup for Throat & Chesty Cough with Codeine, totalling 158,483 bottles (100ml each). This discovery highlights the sophisticated methods employed by smugglers to bypass our controls.
“In a separate operation on 11 October 2024 at Apapa Port Command, we intercepted two 40-foot containers (Nos.MRKU0377493 and TGBU8886020) containing 300 bottles of CSP Cough Syrup.Alarmingly, 200 of these bottles were found to be expired, posing a significant public health risk.”
Adeniyi announced that the NCS has seized a total of 7,155 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice and 3,235 bags were recently confiscated along the Erekiti waterside, Seme road, and Ogun state border areas.
He added that Joint Border Patrol Team, Sector 2 in the Southwest Zone of Lagos conducted successful operations between 12 September and 14 October 2024, resulting in various seizures valued at 1.1 billion Naira.
The CGC emphasized that these seizures and interceptions are some of the results of the service’s new strategies and the dedication of it’s officers. He said they also reveal the persistent and evolving nature of the threats they face.
He lamented that the scale and sophistication of these illicit activities are alarming and since 2018, the NCS has intercepted 20O significant shipments, comprising 10,498 pieces of various arms and 114,929 pieces of ammunition, with an estimated Duty Paid Value (DPV) of 9.58 billion Naira.
In the same vein, he informed that 60% of these seizures occurred within the past year alone and this recent surge accounts for 34.67% of the total DPV, 20.58% of the arms seized, and a staggering 99.62% of the ammunition intercepted over the six-year period.
As maintained by him, these statistics not only highlight the intensification of the service’s efforts but also reveal the evolving tactics employed by smugglers attempting to breach the borders.
He stated that in response to this escalating threat, NCS recently declared a state of emergency, particularly following significant seizures of restricted goods, including pharmaceuticals and medicaments.
“The intricate connections between these diverse smuggling activities and the networks facilitating them are now the primary focus of our strategic operations, such as Operation Whirlwind and Operation Swift Sting. These among other initiatives represent the multifaceted approach adopted by NCS to fortify our operations and safeguard Nigeria’s health and security interests” he said.
Adeniyi warned those who persist in such nefarious activities and issued a stern warning to them.
“The NCS, in collaboration with other security agencies,is more determined than ever to bring the full weight of the law upon you. We are continuously enhancing our intelligence gathering capabilities, upgrading our technological infrastructure, and strengthening our partnerships both domestically and internationally. Your days of operating with impunity are numbered.”
