The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 48 endangered animals and birds along the Daura/Kano axis on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
The Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, during a visit to the Kano/Jigawa Command commended the officers for the interception.
He warned that the Service will sustain intelligence-driven operations to dismantle wildlife trafficking networks.
While praising the professionalism, courage and commitment of officers to protecting endangered species from illegal trade he warned individuals and criminal networks involved in wildlife trafficking that the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, will continue to deploy intelligence and international collaboration to disrupt their activities.
Speaking with journalists, the CGC said the Service was fulfilling its obligations under international conventions established to protect endangered species, noting that the fight against wildlife trafficking requires collective action.
“These conventions were established to ensure collective action in protecting endangered species, and the NCS is living up to this responsibility. We have a special unit of officers who are well-trained and motivated,” he said.
Adeniyi explained that wildlife trafficking involves international criminal networks that exploit borders to move endangered species for global trade. He added that the Service would strengthen strategies through training, collaboration with conservation organisations and partnerships with international agencies.
The CGC stressed that the fight goes beyond arrests, saying rescued animals require specialised care and rehabilitation before possible return to their natural habitats.
“Beyond the arrest of suspects, we must ensure that the rescued animals remain alive and receive the necessary care.
“These animals cannot thrive in an office environment. They need natural surroundings where they can climb trees and exhibit their natural behaviour,” he said.
He also commended conservation experts, particularly Focus Conservation, for providing care for the rescued animals.
He noted that some species would require DNA testing to determine their origin and support future rehabilitation.
Illegal Wildlife Trade Rescue and Rehabilitation Advisor, Focus Conservation, Lindsay Mace, described the gorillas and chimpanzees as critically endangered.
She said the chimpanzees were likely Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees, while the gorillas were suspected to be Cross River gorillas, one of the world’s most endangered gorilla subspecies.
