The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Kano/Jigawa Command in a joint enforcement operation with the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) under the leadership of Comptroller Dauda Ibrahim Chana has seized 2,179kg of pangolin scales.
Kano/Jigawa Customs Spokesman, Saidu Nuruddeen, who made the announcement on Tuesday, said the recovery was made following the arrest of one suspect in Mubi, Adamawa State.
He said the seizure was made with the support of FOU Zone D and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), making it the third major seizure of pangolin scales by NCS and WJC this year.
“This achievement is a testament to the command’s commitment to fighting all forms of crime, supporting global efforts to fight wildlife crime, while protecting Nigeria’s wildlife and preserving the country’s biodiversity.
“In line with the statutory responsibilities of NCS, under the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale, the success of this operation is attributed to the ongoing collaboration between the NCS and WJC which has been strong since 2021, and has resulted in multiple arrests and seizures,” Nuruddeen.
According to him, a total of 21,582kg of pangolin scales have been seized in Nigeria by NCS as a result of the partnership with WJC partnership.
“54% of this amount or 11,673.2 kilograms has been seized in 2024 alone, and 4,473.2kg of this is by the NCS Kano/Jigawa command.
“The perpetrators will be prosecuted accordingly and the service will leave no stone unturned to further apprehend anyone connected to this criminal network.
“This operation demonstrates the power of collaboration; the NCS and WJC force, and it also reaffirms NCS’ dedication to combating wildlife trafficking,” the statement said.
