Barely two weeks after it seized about N3.5 billion worth of donkey bones from a smuggling cartel, the Federal Operation Unit, FOU of the Nigeria Customs Service Zone B, Kaduna, has announced the interception of a consignment of Pangolin scale and derivatives within the Kebbi axis of the Zone.
Acting on credible intelligence, Operatives of the Unit, on Friday, May 24 2024, stormed a hideout, popular as Slaughter House, in the suburb of Zuru town in Kebbi State to effect the seizure.
Addressing the Media on Wednesday, June 5, in Kaduna, Comptroller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, said the team discovered and evacuated sacks of Pangolin scales which were subsequently taken to the Headquarters of the FOU Zone B in Kaduna .
He emphasised that the pangolin specie is one of the endangered species that is protected by the Convention on international Trade on Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flaura CITES.
The value of the seizure at the international market, Shuaibu stated, is about four billion Naira.
The FOU Zone B NCS boss also raised the alarm that those involved in the illegal trafficking of endangered species are using it as a smokescreen to launder money and smuggle in arms and ammunitions in to the country.
“You may recall that during our recent briefing on May 21,2024 ,we declared our resolve not to allow ,illegal trading in endangered wildlife species and other smuggling activities to thrive in the Zone.
“Between that time and today which is barely two weeks, our Operatives have upped the ante in the combat against smuggling of protected species and successfully intercepted a consignment of Pangolin scale and its derivatives within Kebbi state axis of the zone.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, the Operatives stormed a hide out known as Slaughter House in the suburb of Zuru town in Kebbi state at about 1600hrs .
“The team discovered and evacuated sacks of Pangolin scales which were transported to the HQ of FOU Zone B in Kaduna .
“After careful examination and counting ,the pangolin scales weighed 445.45kg.
“Let me, also, explain once again that the pangolin specie is one of the endangered species that is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flaura CITES.
“It is instructive to note that Nigeria is a signatory to the CITES Convention and all forms of trading in this species are clearly illegal.
“The value of this seizure at the international market is three billion, nine hundred and ninety six thousand Naira .
One suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure ,while the main suspect is currently at large .However, the Unit in collaboration with other sister agencies will not rest on its oars until the main suspect is arrested and brought to book.
From empirical evidence ,we make bold to say that those involved in the illegal trafficking of endangered Species are hiding under it to launder money used in procuring drugs ,arms other illegal merchandise .
You can imagine the havoc this may have caused if it had escaped the eagle eyes of our operatives Comptroller Shuaibu noted .
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