The Federal Operations Unit “B” of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said its officers have seized pangolin scales worth N3.995 billion in a significant crackdown against illegal wildlife trade.
Controller of the unit Zone, Comptroller Shuaibu Ahmadu, made this known at a news conference held on Wednesday in his office in Kaduna.
He said on Friday, May 24, 2024, Customs officials,, acting on intelligence, raided a hideout known as a “slaughterhouse” in the suburbs of Zuru Town, Kebbi State, where they seized and evacuated sacks of pangolin scales, which were subsequently transported to the FOU Zone ‘B’ headquarters in Kaduna.
He said the pangolin scales, upon examination, weighed 445.45kg and had a duty-paid value of N3.955 billion.
“This operation underscores the unit’s commitment to curb smuggling and protect endangered species,” Ahmadu said.
He said pangolin is a protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory.
“One suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure, while the main suspect remains at large,” he said.
Pangolins are killed and trafficked in great numbers because their scales are used in traditional Asian medicine. While their meat is considered a luxury food in many parts of Asia, the skin and other parts are used for various purposes including fashion.
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