Customs intercepts lion cub, monkeys being smuggled out of Nigeria

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

A lion cub and two monkeys being smuggled to Republic of Benin have been intercepted by operatives of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS at Gbaji, along the Badagry–Seme expressway in Lagos State.

The interception of the animals was announced in a statement by Seme Border Command of the NCS on Monday.

Two suspects identified as Mathew Kofi, a Beninese national and Mr. Nasiru Usman Gwandu, a Nigerian who allegedly bought the animals in Kano for smuggling to Republic of Benin were also arrested

The Customs Command in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman, said the animals were discovered during search on a blue Mazda vehicle with registration number MUS 743 HA.

Sulaiman said the attempt to smuggle the endangered species out of the country is in clear violation of Nigeria’s wildlife protection laws and international conventions.

In the statement, the Customs spokesperson said, “In our determination to demonstrate unwavering commitment to protecting our nation’s biodiversity and to uphold Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), operatives of the Command, on Sunday, 16 November 2025, at about 0219hrs, intercepted the blue Mazda vehicle during a stop-and-search operation at Gbaji,” Sulaiman said.

“Upon inspection, the operatives discovered one lion cub and two patas monkeys being transported in the vehicle in clear violation of national and international wildlife protection laws.”

He added that the two suspects who were transporting the animals were detained for further investigation while the cub and monkeys were handed over to Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative for proper care.

“In line with Nigeria’s status as a signatory to CITES and consistent with global standards for wildlife protection, the endangered species were immediately confiscated and brought to the Command for documentation, while the two male suspects were detained for further investigation to ascertain the level of their involvement in wildlife trafficking,” the PRO said.

“For proper care, safety and expert handling, the endangered species were formally handed over on Sunday, 16 November 2025, to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative. The handover was carried out by Deputy Comptroller AY Mohammed (DC Administration) on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga.”

Sulaiman reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to enforcing all laws relating to wildlife protection, environmental conservation and border security.

The Customs spokesperson also pledged continued collaboration with relevant agencies to curb wildlife trafficking.