By Mustapha Adamu, Kano
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has arrested three suspects and intercepted a consignment of endangered wildlife allegedly being trafficked along the Kano-Daura Road.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Tahir Balarabe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Kano.
Balarabe said the interception followed an intelligence-led operation carried out at about 8:30 p.m. on August 25, 2026.
According to him, the operation was conducted in line with Section 55(1)(i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Speaking during the formal handover of the animals, Acting Deputy Comptroller Enforcement, AC Muhammad Zanna, said the patrol team acted on credible intelligence and apprehended three male suspects.
Zanna said the suspects allegedly made several attempts to bribe Customs officers during the operation, but the officers rejected the offers and proceeded with the interception.
“The operation has disrupted the supply chain and will play a significant role in reducing the trafficking of endangered wildlife,” he said.
A physical examination of the intercepted animals identified four caracals, four chimpanzees, two baby gorillas, seven patas monkeys, two galagos, one honey badger, two albino alligators, six rock fowls, one civet cat and 19 greater bustard birds.
The wildlife and the three suspects were subsequently handed over to representatives of the NCS Special Wildlife Office at the Service headquarters for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Zanna, who spoke on behalf of the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Usman Adamu, commended the officers involved for their vigilance, courage and integrity.
He also expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Customs management team for supporting efforts to protect Nigeria’s borders and combat illegal wildlife trafficking.
The Kano/Jigawa Area Command reaffirmed its commitment to tackling wildlife trafficking and protecting endangered species, warning criminal networks involved in the illegal trade that Customs would continue working with relevant agencies to disrupt their activities.
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