Uche Cecil Izuora
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Lagos, working with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), has made a major breakthrough in combating wildlife crime and protecting endangered species. The joint team intercepted 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg, arrested four male suspects, and seized a vehicle.
The operation was carried out through coordinated intelligence gathering, surveillance, and investigation into an organised wildlife trafficking syndicate operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders. The effort was led by the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ and the SIS ‘A’ team of the Customs Intelligence Unit, with support from NESREA and WJC.
The seizure took place at approximately 4:30 pm on June 13, 2026, at Ofada, Mowe, in Ogun State, with additional arrests made simultaneously at targets within Lagos. The recovered elephant tusks have a black market value of N126,390,440.00.
Both the specimen and the suspects remain in custody pending further investigation and prosecution.
Comptroller Gambo Aliyu of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ described the seizure as a clear demonstration of the unit’s commitment to enforcing national and international wildlife protection laws, including the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species, which Nigeria has signed. Section 55(1) para 1(i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 prohibits illegal trade in endangered species. The seizure underscores ongoing enforcement efforts to stop illegal wildlife trade and protect biodiversity.
The Comptroller thanked all relevant stakeholders, especially NESREA and WJC, for their invaluable contribution. He urged them to sustain the tempo to nip the activities of criminal elements exploiting Nigeria as a transit route for nefarious wildlife trafficking. He appealed to the public to assist the Nigeria Customs Service by reporting suspicious shipments, activities, or anyone with information relating to wildlife trafficking syndicates, warning that Customs will take enforcement action against those found violating the law.