Customs, NESREA, WJC Seize N126m Elephant Tusks, Arrest Four Suspects in Major Anti-Trafficking Operation
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), has dismantled a suspected wildlife trafficking syndicate, seizing 22 elephant tusks worth over N126 million in coordinated operations across Ogun and Lagos States.
The breakthrough followed a joint intelligence-led operation by the agencies, which also resulted in the arrest of four suspects and the seizure of a vehicle used in the illegal trade of endangered wildlife products.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, Lagos, Chief Superintendent of Customs Hussaini Abdullahi, the arrests and seizures were the outcome of extensive intelligence gathering, surveillance and investigations carried out by the unit and the Service’s Customs Intelligence Unit with the support of NESREA WJC.
Abdullahi said the operation was executed at about 4:30 p.m. on June 13, 2026, at Ofada, Mowe, Ogun State, while other members of the syndicate were arrested simultaneously at different locations in Lagos.
He disclosed that the 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighed a total of 130.84 kilogrammes and have an estimated black market value of N126,390,440.
The Customs spokesman added that the recovered tusks and the suspects are currently in custody pending the conclusion of investigations and prosecution.
Speaking on the development, the Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Gambo Aliyu, described the seizure as a major victory in the fight against wildlife crime and a testament to the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in protecting endangered species.
Aliyu noted that Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), stressing that Section 55(1)(i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, prohibits the illegal trade in endangered species.
According to him, the operation highlights the determination of the Nigeria Customs Service and its partners to disrupt transnational wildlife trafficking networks and safeguard the country’s biodiversity.
The comptroller commended NESREA and the Wildlife Justice Commission for their critical contributions to the successful operation, noting that sustained collaboration among relevant agencies remains key to tackling environmental and wildlife crimes.
He also appealed to members of the public to report suspicious shipments, activities and individuals linked to wildlife trafficking, assuring that the Service would continue to pursue and prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law.
