Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, have intercepted four live pangolins during a targeted patrol along the waterways of Alapa Creek in Ajilete, Ogun State, in an operation that disrupted a suspected wildlife smuggling ring.
According to a statement by the unit’s spokesman, Hussaini Abdullahi, the interception took place on Thursday, 15 January 2026, after officers acted on credible intelligence.
He said a patrol team stopped a wooden boat moving through the creek and discovered the pangolins confined in wire mesh cages, indicating an organised attempt to smuggle the animals out of the area. On sighting the officers, the suspects reportedly fled into the creeks, abandoning both the boat and the caged animals.
Pangolins are shy, nocturnal mammals covered in protective scales, found across parts of Africa and Asia. They play an important ecological role by feeding on ants and termites, yet they have become the world’s most trafficked mammals. Their scales are illegally traded for use in traditional medicine, while their meat is considered a delicacy in some markets, driving relentless poaching and smuggling despite international bans.
All eight species of pangolin are now classified as threatened with extinction, making interceptions such as this crucial to their survival.
To ensure the animals’ welfare, Abdullahi said the rescued pangolins were handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre for safekeeping on 16 January 2026 at 07:00 hours.
He added that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those behind the attempted smuggling operation.