Nigeria Customs Service rescues five live pangolins in Ogun State

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’ intercepted five live pangolins during an intelligence-driven anti-smuggling operation in Ogun State. The seizure occurred on Friday, October 23, 2026, along the Igbo-Ora/Imeko-Afon axis.

Officers discovered the endangered animals confined in wire-mesh cages and concealed to evade detection. The suspected traffickers fled the scene upon sighting the patrol team. This interception follows a series of wildlife seizures conducted by the unit within a seven-day period.

The rescued pangolins have been handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre for rehabilitation and eventual release into a protected habitat. Deputy Comptroller Oluwaseun Oguntuase stated that the operation underscores the agency's commitment to enforcing the Endangered Species Act and international obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).