CAC Gambo’s Men,NESREA Officials Combate Wildlife Traffickers, Arrest Four
By Ovie Edomi
As part of the ongoing efforts to combat Wildlife crime and protect endangered species the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Lagos in collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) recorded a major breakthrough on 13th June 2026 with the interception of 22 pieces of Elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg.
Four male suspects and a vehicle were arrested during the operation.Hussaini Abdullahi Chief Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer of the Federal Operations Unit Zone A Ikeja-Lagos said in a statement on behalf of the Customs Area Controller noted that the arrest was made possible through a well coordinated intelligence gathering, surveillance, and investigation into an organized Wildlife trafficking syndicate operating within and beyond our borders. The operation was led by the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A and the SIS A team of the Customs Intelligence Unit, with the support of the the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC
The seized Elephant tusks in Asia, according to the FOU, CAC, Gambo Aliyu, has black market value equivalent to One Hundred and Twenty-Six Million, Three Hundred and Ninety-One, Four Hundred and Forty Naira (N126, 390,440.00) only.
The comptroller Federal Operations Unit Zone A, 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 International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which Nigeria is a signatory. Section 55 (1) para 1 (i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 prohibit the illegal trade in endangered species.
This seizure also underscores ongoing enforcement efforts to stop illegal wildlife trade and protect biodiversity.
The comptroller appreciated all the relevant stakeholders, especially NESREA & WJC for their invaluable contribution, without which this would have been a nullity. He urged them to sustain the tempo so as to nip the activities of criminal elements who exploit Nigeria as a transit route for their nefarious activities. He appealed to the public to assist the Nigeria Customs Service by reporting suspicious shipments, activities, or anyone with information relating to Wildlife trafficking syndicates to come forward as Customs will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those found to be in violation of the law.
Meanwhile, both the recovered specimen and the suspects are in custody pending further investigation and prosecution.