Some of the seized items
From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
As part of its mandate to halt illegal trading in endangered wildlife species and other smuggling activities in the Country, the Federal Operations Unit “B” of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) has seized Pangolin scales with a duty paid value (DPV) of N3,955bn.
The Comptroller of Federal Operations Unit “B”, Mr Shuaibu Ahmadu disclosed this at a press conference Wednesday at his office in Kaduna.
He said the operatives, acting on intelligence, stormed a hideout known as ‘a slaughterhouse’ in the suburbs of Zuru Town in Kebbi State on Friday, May 24, 2024.
The team according to him discovered and evacuated sacks of pangolin scales which were transported to the HQ of FOU Zone ‘B’ in Kaduna.
He added that after careful examination and counting, the pangolin scales weighed 445.45kg with a duty paid value (DPV ) of N3,955bn
The FOU comptroller stressed that the pangolin species is one of the endangered species that is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
According to him, it is instructive to know that Nigeria is a signatory to the CITES Convention and all forms of trading in this species are illegal.
He added that the Nigeria Customs Service will continue to partner with CITES to forestall the identified species from going into extinction.
He explains that one Suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure while the main suspect is currently at large.
The Comptroller further explained that the Unit in collaboration with other sister agencies will not rest on its oars until the main suspect is arrested and brought to book.
“The offense contravenes Section 55 (1) paragraph C and I of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023,
“The success of this operation lies in robust intelligence sharing between the NCS and Wildlife Office and the resilience by operatives of the Unit to leverage and utilize the coordinates given to them to make this arrest,” he said
He said also that from empirical evidence, those involved in the illegal trafficking of endangered species are hiding under it to launder money used in procuring drugs, arms, and other illegal merchandise.
He said ” You can imagine the havoc this may have caused if it had escaped the eagle eyes of our operatives”.
The Comptroller further calls on the general public to continue to cooperate and stand with the NCS in its fight against smuggling.
“We must work together to salvage this country and to actualize the dream of our founding fathers.
Mr Shuaibu reiterates that the Unit will continue to enforce the Federal Government policies in line with International best practices, no matter the campaign of calumny against the Service.
It will be recalled that Pangolins are killed and trafficked in great numbers because their scales are used in traditional Asian medicine, their meat is considered a luxury food in many parts of Asia, and their skins and other parts are used for various purposes such as fashion.
As a result, there is a rampant illegal global trade in pangolins and their parts. The demand comes principally from China and Vietnam. Rapid loss and deterioration of available habitat places added pressure on the dwindling numbers of remaining pangolins.
