Customs intercept trafficked wildlife, arrests three in Kano

Some of the recovered wildlife. Photo: Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Area Command

The Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted a consignment of suspected illegally traded wildlife and arrested three male suspects along the Kano-Daura Road.

The interception was made on August 25, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation aimed at disrupting the trafficking of endangered wildlife along the axis.

The development was contained in a statement issued on Thursday, August 27, 2026, by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Tahir Balarabe.

Speaking during the formal handover of the intercepted animals, the Acting Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Muhammad Zanna, who represented the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Usman Adamu, said the operation followed credible intelligence.

“The operation was carried out by our patrol team based on credible intelligence at about 8:30pm on August 25, 2026. The team intercepted the endangered wildlife and apprehended three suspects along the Daura-Kano Road,” Zanna said.

He said the suspects allegedly made several attempts to bribe the patrol officers but were unsuccessful, praising the officers for maintaining professionalism and integrity throughout the operation.

“Commendably, our patrol officers demonstrated a high level of professionalism as the suspects made multiple attempts to offer them bribes. This gallant effort has disrupted this supply chain and will play a huge role in reducing the trafficking of endangered wildlife,” he said.

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According to the statement, physical examination of the consignment revealed four caracal wild cats, four chimpanzees, two baby gorillas, seven red patas monkeys, two galagos, one honey badger, two albino alligators, six rock fowls, one civet cat and 19 greater bustard wild birds.

The animals and the three suspects were subsequently handed over to a representative of the Special Wildlife Office of the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters for further investigation and prosecution.

Zanna expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the NCS management for their continued support in protecting Nigeria’s borders and combating the illicit trafficking of endangered wildlife.

He also commended the officers involved in the operation for their courage, vigilance and integrity.

“This seizure demonstrates our resolve to protect Nigeria’s biodiversity and ensure that criminal networks cannot use our borders to traffic endangered species,” Zanna said.

The command said the operation was conducted in accordance 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.

The Kano/Jigawa Area Command warned individuals and criminal networks involved in wildlife trafficking to desist from the illegal activity, assuring that the Service would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to protect endangered species and Nigeria’s biodiversity.