Ogun, Nigeria – Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area 1 Command in Idiroko, have successfully intercepted four live pangolins from suspected wildlife smugglers along the Yemoamota–Abule-Igbo–Ebute-Igboora route.

The animals, classified as endangered, were discovered in wire mesh cages concealed inside a sack. The seizure occurred at approximately 3 a.m. on Thursday after Customs officers, acting on intelligence, flagged down a suspicious motorcycle along the Yemoamota–Igboora route.

Chado Zakari, Deputy Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer, confirmed the seizure in a statement to journalists, noting the sophistication of the packaging suggested the involvement of an organised smuggling syndicate. “To evade arrest, the suspects abandoned their motorcycle and the endangered species, disappearing into the thick terrain as evening fog set in,” Zakari said.

Following the interception, the Nigeria Customs Service prioritized the welfare of the pangolins and officially handed them over to the Ogun Wildlife Conservation Centre on Friday. The handover was carried out by Assistant Comptroller Tajjudeen Bello, representing Acting Customs Area Controller Oladapo Afeni.

Zakari emphasized that the seizure reinforces the command’s commitment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and highlighted the professionalism of the operatives involved.

Acting Area Controller Oladapo Afeni reiterated the command’s dedication to combating trans-border crimes and pledged ongoing collaboration with relevant agencies to prevent illegal wildlife trafficking. He also issued a stern warning to wildlife smugglers, stressing that the Ogun Customs Command remains “battle-ready” to enforce the law.