.Three Suspects Arrested as Operatives Foil Alleged Kano-Abuja-Congo Trafficking Route…
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has foiled an alleged international wildlife trafficking operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, rescuing two live lion cubs and arresting three suspects linked to the attempted movement.
The intelligence-led operation was carried out on August 4, 2026, by the Special Wildlife Office (SWO) of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), in collaboration with the FCT CIU, Customs Police Unit (CPU), FCT Command and conservation partner, Focused Conservation.
According to a report released on August 10 by Assistant Comptroller of Customs Anuhu Mani, Officer-in-Charge of the Special Wildlife Office, the suspects allegedly attempted to move the lion cubs from Kano through Abuja, with Congo-Brazzaville reportedly identified as the final destination.
Acting on actionable intelligence, Customs operatives mounted surveillance at the airport’s Cargo Terminal and identified a black SUV allegedly connected to the illicit movement.
The operation took a dramatic turn when a CIU officer conducting a physical inspection of the vehicle reportedly heard animal cries coming from the rear compartment.
Upon opening the luggage area, officers discovered two live lion cubs concealed inside crates, leading to the immediate arrest of three suspects.
Those arrested reportedly include the alleged owner of the animals, the vehicle driver and a Customs clearing agent. They are currently being interrogated as investigators work to uncover the wider network allegedly behind the trafficking operation.
Mani said the interception demonstrated the Service’s commitment to combating wildlife trafficking and preventing Nigeria from being used as a transit route for international criminal networks.
“This operation sends an unmistakable message that Nigeria will not serve as a transit hub or safe haven for wildlife trafficking syndicates,” Mani said.
He noted that with the number of lions remaining in Nigeria’s wild population declining, the rescue represented not only an enforcement success but also an important conservation intervention.
The Customs officer said the Special Wildlife Office would continue to deploy intelligence gathering, trade-route profiling and targeted enforcement to disrupt illegal wildlife trafficking and bring perpetrators to justice.
The attempted movement of the animals, according to the Service, violates national and international wildlife protection regulations, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Nigeria’s endangered-species legislation.
Following their rescue, the two lion cubs were handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative for veterinary treatment, care and rehabilitation.
The Customs Service said the operation further demonstrates its expanding role in combating organised environmental crime and protecting endangered wildlife along West Africa’s transport corridors under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi.
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