Customs Foils Wildlife Smuggling, Rescues Four Live Pangolins in Ajilete Creeks

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, has recorded a major success in the fight against wildlife trafficking with the interception of four live pangolins along the Ajilete waterways in Ogun State.
The interception occurred at about 6:33 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026, during a targeted patrol by operatives of FOU Zone A acting on credible intelligence. The officers stopped a wooden boat navigating the Alapa Creek, Ajilete, where the endangered animals were discovered confined in wire mesh cages.
According to the Service, the mode of concealment indicated the operation of an organised smuggling syndicate. The suspects, however, escaped into the surrounding creeks upon sighting Customs officers, abandoning both the boat and the caged pangolins.
In line with international best practices and Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the rescued pangolins were handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre for proper care and safekeeping. The handover took place at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026, and was conducted by the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement, DC A.O. Oguntuase, on behalf of the Comptroller, FOU Zone A, Gambo Aliyu.

Comptroller Aliyu commended the officers for their professionalism and bravery during the nighttime operation and charged all personnel to remain vigilant in combating trans-border crimes, particularly wildlife trafficking.
He reaffirmed the Unit’s unwavering commitment to the enforcement of wildlife protection laws and sustained collaboration with relevant stakeholders to eliminate the illegal trade in endangered species.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, also praised the officers for the successful interception, describing it as a clear demonstration of the Service’s zero-tolerance stance against activities that undermine Nigeria’s CITES obligations, biodiversity conservation efforts and economic stability.