Four nabbed as customs busts N126.3m illegal elephant tusk smuggling ring

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Lagos, in collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), has intercepted wildlife contraband valued at N126.3 million and arrested four suspects.

The Comptroller of FOU Zone A, Mr Gambo Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued by the unit’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Hussaini Abdullahi, on Monday in Lagos.Aliyu said the operation led to the seizure of 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 130.84 kilogrammes and one vehicle allegedly used in the trafficking activity.

He described the arrests and seizure as a significant breakthrough in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking and transnational environmental crimes.

According to him, the success of the operation was driven by coordinated intelligence gathering, surveillance and investigations into an organised wildlife trafficking network operating within and beyond Nigeria.

Aliyu said officers of the Federal Operations Unit and the Customs Special Intervention Squad (SIS), working with personnel from the Customs Intelligence Unit, carried out the operation with support from NESREA and the WJC.

“The seizure was made at about 4:30 p.m. on June 13, 2026, in Ofada, Mowe, Ogun State, while additional suspects were apprehended simultaneously in Lagos.

“The 22 elephant tusks have an estimated black-market value of N126.3 million in Asian markets, and all exhibits have been secured as evidence.

“The recovered wildlife specimens and four male suspects are currently in custody pending further investigation and prosecution in accordance with Nigerian and international laws,” he said.

Aliyu said the seizure underscored the service’s commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws and international conventions, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory.

He noted that Section 55(1)(i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, prohibits illegal trade in endangered species and provides legal backing for enforcement actions against offenders.

According to him, the operation reflects ongoing efforts by the service and its partners to combat illegal wildlife trade, protect biodiversity and disrupt criminal trafficking networks.

The comptroller commended NESREA and the Wildlife Justice Commission for their collaboration and support in the operation.

He urged members of the public to report suspicious shipments and wildlife trafficking activities to relevant authorities.

Aliyu assured that the service would continue to take decisive enforcement action against individuals and groups involved in illegal trade in endangered species.

He also pledged sustained collaboration with local and international stakeholders to prevent Nigeria from being used as a transit route for wildlife trafficking and other transnational crimes. (NAN).