Customs impounds sacks of pangolin scales worth N3.9bn in Kebbi

The Nigeria Customs Service’s Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B recently seized sacks containing pangolin scales valued at N3.9 billion.

During a press briefing in Kaduna, Ahmadu Shuaibu, the unit’s comptroller, revealed that the 445.45 kg of pangolin scales were confiscated on May 24 in the outskirts of Zuru town in Kebbi state.

Shuaibu stated that their team has intensified efforts to combat the smuggling of protected species and successfully intercepted a pangolin scale consignment in Kebbi state.

Acting on reliable information, operatives raided a slaughterhouse hideout in Zuru town on Friday, May 24, 2024, at around 4:00 pm.

The comptroller emphasized NCS’s dedication to stopping the illegal trade of endangered wildlife species. He highlighted that endangered wildlife is safeguarded by the international agreement known as CITES.

It is important to note that Nigeria has pledged to uphold the CITES convention, making any trading in these species unequivocally unlawful, he further stated.

The Nigeria Customs Service is committed to collaborating with CITES to prevent the identified species from becoming extinct.

The seized items are worth a staggering sum of three billion, nine hundred and fifty-five million, five hundred and ninety-six thousand naira (N3,955,596,000.00). Shuaibu mentioned that one suspect has been apprehended while another remains at large.