Three suspected wildlife traffickers have been arrested after the Nigeria Customs Service intercepted a consignment containing 48 endangered animals and birds in Kano.
The seizure was made on Tuesday evening by officers of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command along the Kano-Daura Road.
According to the command, the operation was conducted in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and Nigeria’s responsibilities under CITES.
“The interception was carried out pursuant to Section 55(1)(i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),” the statement reads.
During the official handover of the animals on Thursday, the acting deputy comptroller of enforcement, Muhammad Zanna, disclosed that the suspects allegedly made repeated attempts to bribe the customs officers.
He said the officers’ refusal to accept the alleged bribes helped prevent the illegal wildlife from reaching its intended destination.
“This gallant effort has disrupted this supply chain and will play a huge role in reducing the trafficking of endangered wildlife,” he added.
The recovered animals include four caracal cats, four chimpanzees, two baby gorillas, seven red patas monkeys and two galagos, popularly called bush babies.
Customs also recovered a honey badger, two albino alligators, six rock fowls, one civet cat and 19 greater bustard birds.
The suspects and the seized animals have been transferred to the Special Wildlife Office at the NCS headquarters for further investigation and prosecution.
Zanna commended the officers for their alertness and professionalism, stressing that their rejection of the alleged bribes showed the service’s resolve to combat wildlife trafficking.
