The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has intercepted an international wildlife trafficking attempt at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, rescuing two live lion cubs and arresting three suspects.
The operation, carried out on August 4, 2026, was led by the Special Wildlife Office, SWO, of the Customs Intelligence Unit, CIU, in collaboration with the FCT CIU, Customs Police Unit, FCT Command, and conservation partner, Focused Conservation.
In a statement issued on August 10, 2026, Assistant Comptroller Anuhu Mani, Officer-in-Charge of the SWO, said the suspects were attempting to move the cubs from Kano through Abuja to Congo-Brazzaville.
Acting on intelligence, operatives mounted surveillance at the airport’s Cargo Terminal and tracked a black SUV linked to the illicit movement. During a physical inspection, a CIU operative heard animal cries from the rear compartment. On opening it, officers found the two cubs concealed in crates.
Mani said those arrested include the alleged owner of the animals, the vehicle’s driver, and a Customs clearing agent. They are undergoing interrogation to unravel the wider syndicate.
“This operation sends an unmistakable message that Nigeria will not serve as a transit hub or safe haven for wildlife trafficking syndicates,” Mani stated.
“With fewer lions remaining in Nigeria’s wild, saving these cubs is not just an enforcement success, it is a critical conservation victory. Our specialized unit will continue to leverage intelligence, profile trade routes, and prosecute those who profit from the illegal trade of our endangered species.”
According to him, the illegal transport violates CITES and Nigeria’s Endangered Species Act.
Following their rescue, the lion cubs were handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative for veterinary care and rehabilitation.
Mani said the bust underscores the evolving role of the NCS under Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, positioning the Service as a key defense against organized environmental crime across West Africa’s transport corridors.
