Pandolin and elephant tusks seized by NCS in Lekki, Lagos
Customs seizes N26bn worth of elephant tusks, pangolin parts in Lekki, arrests three foreigners
Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have seized more than 17 tonnes of pangolin parts and elephant tusks, said to have been illegally poached from animals in parts of Africa.
The seizure is reportedly worth over N26bn.
Equally important, three foreigners have been arrested over the haul, with a fourth one still being tracked. The wanted fourth foreigner has been described as the brains behind the operation.
The foregoing was disclosed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.) Ali, who revealed that the suspects would be made to face the full weight of the law; also declared that the service will leave no stone unturned in bringing them to justice.
Meanwhile, the seizure of the massive haul was made at Lekki, near the Lagos port. Also, the operation involved the extensive collaboration of British, US and German officials, as well as international organizations.
The haul included 196 bags containing 17,134kg of pangolin scales; 4.6kg of pangolin claws and 870kg of elephant tusks; with the Customs boss disclosing that the operation was part of government attempts to combat illegal wildlife trading, which is common in Nigeria.
Furthermore, Ali revealed that Nigeria is now being used by criminal gangs to send pangolin parts illegally poached from Africa to countries in Asia where they are in high demand; adding that deforestation and deflation of wildlife especially the endangered species have become global concerns. Consequently, he stated that intelligence and expertise is now being shared by countries in order to eradicate the menace.
Pangolins are believed to be one of the most critically endangered species in the world. The scales are highly sought after in Asia, thus making them one of the most trafficked animals globally.
Most of the criminal gangs involved in the illicit trade of pangolin parts and elephant tusks often capitalize on poor enforcement and corruption at the Lagos port to use it as a conduit for the exportation of the items to Asia.
Courtesy: Agency reports
