Customs Intercepts Trafficked Wildlife, Arrests Three Suspects in Kano

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has intercepted a consignment of illegally traded wildlife and arrested three male suspects along the Daura-Kano Road.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Tahir Balarabe, on Thursday.

According to the statement, the interception was made on Aug. 25, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m., following credible intelligence received by the command’s patrol team.

Speaking during the formal handover of the intercepted wildlife, the Acting Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Assistant Comptroller Muhammad Zanna, who represented the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Usman Adamu, said the operation was conducted in accordance with Section 55(1)(i) of the NCS Act 2023 and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Zanna said the suspects allegedly made several attempts to bribe the officers during the operation, but the officers remained professional and resisted the attempts.

He said the interception had disrupted the illegal supply chain and would contribute significantly to efforts to reduce the trafficking of endangered wildlife.

The statement said physical examination of the consignment revealed four caracals, four chimpanzees, two baby gorillas, seven red patas monkeys, two galagos (bush babies), one honey badger, two albino alligators, six rock fowls, one civet cat and 19 greater bustard birds.

The NCS said the animals and the three suspects had been handed over to a representative of the Special Wildlife Office of the NCS Headquarters for further investigation and prosecution.

Zanna commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the NCS management for their continued support in protecting Nigeria’s borders and combating illegal wildlife trafficking.

He also praised the officers for their courage, vigilance and integrity, while reiterating the command’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to protect endangered species and Nigeria’s biodiversity.