The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Area “B” Command, Kaduna, on Wednesday said its operatives seized pangolin scales with a duty paid value of N3.9 billion.
Customs FOU Zone B, includes Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit, zone “B”, Ahmadu Bello-Shuaibu, who made the discovery, said an arrest was made in connection with the smuggled pangolin scales.
According to the Comptroller, acting on actionable intelligence, operatives raided a suburb of Zuru town in Kebbi State, discovered and evacuated bags of pangolin scales weighing 445.45kg on May 24.
He put the value of the seizure in the international market at N3,955,596,000.
The Customs chief said the success of the operation lies in the strong sharing of intelligence between the Service and the Wildlife Office coupled with the determined efforts of the operatives to effect the arrest.
Bello-Shuaibu alleged that those involved in illegal trafficking of endangered species were hiding under it to launder money used to buy drugs, weapons and other illegal goods.
He said, “Our operatives have stepped up efforts in the fight against smuggling of protected species and have successfully intercepted a cargo of pangolin scale and its derivatives within the Kebbi State axis of the area.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, operatives raided a shelter known as (slaughterhouse) on the outskirts of Zuru town in Kebbi state on Friday, May 24, 2024 at about 4:00 p.m.
“The team discovered and evacuated bags of pangolin scales which were transported to FOU Zone ‘B’ headquarters in Kaduna. After careful examination and counting, the pangolin weighed 445.45 kg.
“The value of this seizure in the international market is N3.95 billion.
“Let me explain once again that the pangolin species is one of the endangered species protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
“It is instructive that Nigeria is a signatory to the CITES Convention and all forms of trade in this species are clearly illegal.”
The comptroller added that the service was more than ever determined to cooperate with CITES to prevent the extinction of the pangolin and other endangered species.
He also reiterated the commitment and determination of the Unit to continue to implement Federal Government policies in line with international best practices while calling on the public to cooperate with the NCS in its fight against smuggling.
“We must work together to save this country and realize the dream of our founding fathers,” he added.
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