Customs intercept pangolin scales
Customs intercept pangolin scales worth N3.9bn in Kebbi
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone “B” Command, Kaduna, announced on Wednesday that its operatives had intercepted pangolin scales worth N3.9 billion (Duty Paid Value).
The FOU Zone B Command covers Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Kwara states, and the Federal Capital Territory. On May 24, acting on intelligence, operatives raided a suburb of Zuru Town in Kebbi State, seizing 445.45kg of pangolin scales.
Comptroller Ahmadu Bello-Shuaibu revealed that one person was arrested in connection with the smuggled scales, valued at N3,955,596,000 on the international market.
He attributed the success of the operation to robust intelligence sharing between the Customs Service and the Wild Life Office, as well as the determination of operatives.
Bello-Shuaibu alleged that those involved in illegal wildlife trafficking use it as a cover for money laundering to procure drugs, arms, and other illegal goods.”
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He said, “Our operatives have upped the ante in the combat against smuggling of protected species and successfully intercepted a consignment of Pangolin scale and its derivatives within the Kebbi State area of the Zone.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, the operatives stormed a hideout known as (Slaughter house) in the suburb of Zuru Town in Kebbi State on Friday, May 24, 2024 at about 1600hrs.
“The team discovered and evacuated sacks of pangolin scales which were transported to the HQ of FOU Zone ‘B’ in Kaduna. After careful examination and counting, the pangolin scales weighed 445.45kg.
He said the value of the seizure at the international market was worth Three Billion, Nine Hundred and Fifty-Five Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand Naira (N3,955,596,000.00) only.
“Let me once again explain 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 Flaura.
“It is instructive that Nigeria is a signatory to the CITES Convention and all forms of trading in this species are clearly illegal,” he added.
The comptroller added that the service was more ever than before determined to partner CITES to forestall the pangolin and other endangered species from going into extinction.
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