In a major crackdown on illegal wildlife trafficking, Nigerian authorities intercepted 420 kilograms of pangolin scales during a targeted operation in Kano State this week. The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) announced the seizure at a press conference on Thursday, revealing that the contraband—valued in global black markets for its use in traditional medicine and luxury goods—was discovered in a suburban area of Kano following an intelligence-led sting.
Dalhatu Abubakar, Comptroller of the NCS Kano/Jigawa Area Command, detailed how officers from the Special Wildlife Office, Customs Intelligence Unit, and Customs Police collaborated to arrest a male suspect linked to the trade. The operation, conducted around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, aligns with Nigeria’s intensified efforts to dismantle transnational smuggling networks exploiting the country’s biodiversity. “This is a critical strike against criminal enterprises threatening endangered species,” Abubakar said, emphasizing that the confiscated scales—equivalent to the product of hundreds of killed pangolins—would have likely been trafficked to Asia or Europe.
The comptroller cited Section 55(c) of the 2023 Nigeria Customs Service Act, which empowers the agency to enforce laws protecting endangered wildlife. He praised the role of international partners, including the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO) and Focus Conservation Group, in sharing intelligence and logistical support. Pangolins, despite being protected under global conventions, remain among the most trafficked mammals worldwide due to high demand for their scales and meat.
Abubakar stressed that the suspect would face prosecution under national and international wildlife protection laws, signaling Nigeria’s commitment to curbing ecological crimes. He pledged heightened surveillance and advanced tracking technologies to intercept future smuggling attempts, calling the preservation of biodiversity a “collective duty.”
The seizure underscores broader challenges in combating wildlife trafficking across West Africa, a region increasingly targeted by organized crime syndicates. Nigeria, a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), has faced criticism in recent years for its role as a transit hub for illegal wildlife products. However, authorities argue that operations like this week’s interception reflect growing collaboration between Nigerian agencies and global conservation bodies to disrupt smuggling routes.
Investigations into the seized pangolin scales are ongoing, with officials aiming to trace the contraband’s origins and international connections. Legal experts note that convictions under Nigeria’s updated wildlife laws could result in severe penalties, including lengthy prison terms, as the government seeks to deter trafficking amid declining pangolin populations.
