Customs Seize Endangered Wildlife, Contraband Worth ₦12.73m in Maiduguri, Yobe
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Borno/Yobe Area Command, has recorded a significant breakthrough in its crackdown on wildlife trafficking and smuggling, intercepting endangered animal species and contraband goods in separate operations in Maiduguri and parts of Yobe State.
The seizures, carried out on April 9, 2026, were disclosed in a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Ubali.
According to the statement, Customs operatives, acting on intelligence, intercepted a Mercedes-Benz wagon along Kano Road in Maiduguri conveying protected wildlife species. The animals—two hyenas, one porcupine, and 24 African crowned cranes—were concealed in the vehicle bearing registration number ABJ 517 AR.
The statement noted that the species fall under Appendix I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which grants them the highest level of international protection against illegal trade.
Ubali said the interception highlights the Service’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s biodiversity and enforcing regulations against wildlife trafficking.
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“It is one of the mandates of the NCS to ensure that wildlife species are protected, and their survival is not threatened,” he stated.
The Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized wildlife was estimated at ₦10 million.
Reacting to the development, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Idris, issued a stern warning to traffickers, emphasizing zero tolerance for such illegal activities within the Command’s jurisdiction.
“We will not tolerate wildlife trafficking in our territory. We are working tirelessly with relevant partners and sister agencies to protect Nigeria’s wildlife heritage and bring perpetrators to justice,” Idris said.
In a related operation, Customs operatives intercepted a Volkswagen Golf vehicle along the Nguru–Gashua Road in Yobe State. The vehicle was found to be transporting 65 cartons of foreign juice branded “Djino Cocktail de Fruits,” concealed beneath two 50kg bags of Arabic gum and sugar.
The smuggled goods were valued at ₦2.73 million, bringing the total DPV of all seizures to ₦12.73 million.
The Command called on the public to comply with the law and support enforcement efforts by providing timely and credible information to authorities, stressing that collective vigilance remains crucial in combating smuggling and protecting national resources.
By PRNigeria
