The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A ‘, in collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), has recorded a breakthrough in the fight against wildlife trafficking with the seizure of 22 elephant tusks worth over ₦126.3 million, with four suspects arrested.
According to a press release issued on Monday, 15 June 2026, by the Public Relations Officer of FOU Zone ‘A ‘, Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) Hussaini Abdullahi, the operation followed extensive intelligence gathering, surveillance, and investigation into an organised wildlife trafficking syndicate operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Abdullahi disclosed that the seizure was carried out at about 4:30 p.m. on 13 June 2026, at Ofada, Mowe, in Ogun State, while other suspects linked to the network were simultaneously apprehended in Lagos. The intercepted consignment comprised 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing a total of 130.84 kilograms, with an estimated black-market value of ₦126,390,440.
He revealed that the operation was led by officers of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ and the SIS ‘A‘ team of the Customs Intelligence Unit, with support from NESREA and the Wildlife Justice Commission.
Speaking on the development, the Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, described the seizure as a clear demonstration of the Unit’s commitment to enforcing national and international wildlife protection laws, as contained in the Convention on the Trade in Endangered Species, of which Nigeria is a signatory as well as section 55(1)para 1 (i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 which prohibits the illegal trade in endangered species.
“This seizure also underscores ongoing enforcement efforts to stop illegal wildlife trade and protect biodiversity,” Aliyu stated.
He commended NESREA and the Wildlife Justice Commission for their collaboration and support, describing their contributions as instrumental to the operation’s success. He urged the agencies to sustain the tempo in the fight against wildlife trafficking and other environmental crimes.
The Comptroller further appealed to members of the public to support enforcement efforts by providing timely information on suspicious shipments and activities linked to wildlife trafficking syndicates.
