Gambo Led Team Nab Wild Life Syndicate

 

Four Arrested With Elephant Tusks

 

 

Customs Area Controller, CAC,  Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Lagos,  Comptroller Aliyu Gambo, in collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), have recorded a major breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to combat Wildlife crime and protect endangered species with the interception of 22 pieces of Elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg, 4 male suspects and a vehicle.

 

A statement by the Public Relations Officer, PRO, of FOU Zone A, Lagos, Hussaini Abdullahi
(Chief Superintendent of Customs), stated that
the arrest was made possible through coordinated intelligence gathering, surveillance, and investigation into an organized Wildlife trafficking syndicate operating within and beyond Nigerian borders.

 

The Gambo led officers of Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A and the SIS A team of  the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Intelligence Unit, collaborated with other strategic partners to carry out the operation.

The PRO disclosed that the seizure was made at about 1630hrs on 13th June 2026 at Ofada, Mowe, Ogun State and other targets were arrested within Lagos, simultaneously.

According to the FOU Zone “A” spokesman,  the seized Elephant tusks from Asia, has black market  equivalent value of One Hundred and Twenty-Six Million, Three Hundred and Ninety thousand,  Four Hundred and Forty Naira (N126, 390,440.00) only.h

“The recovered specimen and the suspects are in custody pending further investigation and prosecution” the PRO said.

Comptroller  Gambo Aliyu described the seizure as a clear demonstration of the unit’ 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.

The PRO clarified that Section 55 (1) para 1 (i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 prohibit  illegal trade in endangered species.

“This seizure also underscores ongoing enforcement efforts to stop illegal wildlife trade and protect biodiversity” the  FOU Comptroller reiterated.

“The comptroller appreciates all the relevant stakeholders, especially NESREA & WJC for their invaluable contribution, without which this would have been a nullity”

Comptroller Gambo urged all involved in the successful seizure to sustain the tempo so as to nip the activities of criminal elements who exploit Nigeria as a transit route for their nefarious activities.

The FOU Controller also appeal to the public to assist the Nigeria Customs Service by reporting suspicious shipments and  activities.

“Anyone with information relating to Wildlife trafficking syndicates should come forward or share such information with the NCS”

“Customs will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those who violate trade guidelines and regulations” Gambo assured