The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, intercepted 445.45kg of pangolin scales worth N3.95billion.
Speaking in Kaduna State, the Customs Area Controller, Compt Ahmadu Shuaibu, said the pangolin scales were intercepted in Kebbi State and a suspect has been apprehended in connection with the contraband.
According to him, “We have declared our resolve not to allow illegal trading in endangered wildlife species and other smuggling activities to thrive in the Zone and within two weeks, our operatives have upped-the-ante in the combat against smuggling of protected species and successfully intercepted a consignment of Pangolin scale and its derivatives within Kebbi State axis of the Zone.
“Acting on actionable intelligence the operatives stormed a hideout known as ‘slaughter house’ in the suburbs of Zuru Town in Kebbi State on Friday, May 24 2024 at about 1600hrs.
“The team discovered and evacuated sacks of pangolin scales which were transported to the HQ of FOU Zone ‘B’ in Kaduna. After careful examination and counting, the pangolin scales weighed 445.45kg,” he stated.
Controller Shuaibu disclosed that trafficking the pangolin scales contravene Section 55 (1) paragraph C and I of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023. (Leadership)