The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 22 elephant tusks weighing 130.84 kilograms and valued at an estimated N126.3 million in a coordinated operation across Lagos and Ogun states.
The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, carried out the operation in collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency and the Wildlife Justice Commission.
Officers also arrested four male suspects and recovered a vehicle linked to the alleged wildlife trafficking network.
FOU Zone A Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Hussaini Abdullahi, announced the seizure in a statement on Monday. He said intelligence officers gathered credible information, monitored the suspects’ activities, and launched simultaneous operations in Ofada, Mowe, and other parts of Lagos.
According to Abdullahi, the operation disrupted an organised wildlife trafficking syndicate operating within Nigeria and across international borders.
He added that the seized tusks carry an estimated black market value of N126.3 million in Asia, while investigators have taken the suspects and exhibits into custody for further investigation and prosecution.
Customs Area Controller of FOU Zone A, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, described the seizure as a major step in the fight against illegal wildlife trade.
He cited Section 55(1)(i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which prohibits the illegal trade in endangered species, and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting biodiversity and enforcing both national and international laws.
Aliyu also commended NESREA and the Wildlife Justice Commission for their collaboration and urged members of the public to report suspicious shipments or activities linked to wildlife trafficking, assuring that the Service would continue to crack down on offenders.
