Nigerian Customs intercepts 2179kg pangolin scales in Kano

The Kano-Jigawa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has seized 2,179 kilograms of pangolin scales in a joint enforcement operation with the Wildlife Justice Commission, WJC.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Saidu Nuruddeen, who stated that one suspect had been arrested in Mubi, Adamawa State, in connection with the matter.

He added that the operation was supported by the Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone D, and WJC, leading to the successful seizure of the pangolin scales.

According to him, the achievement underscores the command’s commitment to combating all forms of crime, supporting global efforts to fight wildlife trafficking, and protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity.

“The Nigeria Customs Service, Kano-Jigawa Command, in a joint enforcement operation with the Wildlife Justice Commission, WJC, under the leadership of Comptroller Dauda Ibrahim Chana, made another significant breakthrough in combating wildlife trafficking on the 5th of December, 2024. The WJC provided actionable intelligence, supported the investigation with their expertise, and followed up with the Nigerian Customs enforcement operation.

A trained Customs enforcement team, led by the Kano-Jigawa Command, successfully intercepted the pangolin scales and effected the arrest during a raid on two warehouses in Mubi,” Nuruddeen said.

He emphasised that this was the third major seizure of pangolin scales by the Nigerian Customs and WJC in 2024. Since the partnership began, 21,582 kilograms of pangolin scales have been seized in Nigeria as a result of their collaborative efforts.