The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, has rescued five more live pangolins in Ogun State, intensifying its crackdown on the illegal wildlife trade and raising fresh concerns about the activities of endangered-species trafficking syndicates.

The latest interception, carried out at about 1:18 a.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026, along the Igbo-Ora/Imeko-Afon axis of Ogun State, followed intelligence reports on the suspected movement of endangered wildlife.

Acting on the intelligence, Customs officers intercepted the five pangolins confined in wire-mesh cages and concealed in a manner suspected to have been designed to evade detection.

The suspected traffickers reportedly abandoned the animals and fled upon sighting the patrol team.

The rescue marks another intervention by the Unit against wildlife trafficking within approximately seven days, prompting calls for an extensive investigation to identify and dismantle the criminal networks behind the illicit trade.

In line with its commitment to wildlife protection, FOU Zone ‘A’ formally handed over the rescued animals to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre for safekeeping, rehabilitation and eventual release into a protected habitat.

The handover was conducted by the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, on behalf of the Acting Controller of the Unit, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Oguntuase said the interception of multiple wildlife consignments within a short period underscored the need for sustained investigations and stronger enforcement measures against those involved in the illegal capture, transportation and trafficking of endangered species.

He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to combating wildlife trafficking, protecting endangered animals and enforcing Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), alongside relevant national legislation.

“Pangolins are among the world’s most trafficked mammals. This seizure is another clear warning to those involved in the illegal wildlife trade that Nigeria’s borders and transport corridors remain under active surveillance,” Oguntuase said.

Pangolins are listed under Appendix I of CITES, which generally prohibits international commercial trade in wild-caught specimens and their derivatives, subject to the Convention’s applicable provisions.

Nigeria’s Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act also provides a legal framework for protecting endangered wildlife and regulating activities involving listed species.

Oguntuase said FOU Zone ‘A’ would sustain intelligence-led operations, deepen collaboration with conservation organisations and other relevant stakeholders, and ensure that rescued animals receive appropriate care.

He warned that individuals involved in wildlife trafficking would face the full weight of the law.

“Those who engage in wildlife trafficking will be made to face the full weight of the law,” he declared.

Receiving the rescued pangolins, Dr. Austin Tochukwu of the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and prompt intervention.

He assured the Service that the organisation would provide the animals with the necessary care and undertake efforts towards their rehabilitation and eventual release into a safe, protected environment.

The latest rescue underscores the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and wildlife conservation organisations in confronting the illegal wildlife trade.

By; Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has directed the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to suspend its ongoing training exercise for newly recruited officers pending an investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.

The directive follows reports that hundreds of candidates whose names appeared on the published final list and who had completed the required screening, documentation and medical examinations were not invited to participate in the training exercise.

Briefing journalists at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, the Chairman of the FCC Committee on Financial Services, Abdulwasiu Bawa-Allah, said the commission was not invited to monitor the recruitment exercise.

“It is deeply troubling that the NCS conducted this exercise without the commission’s monitoring and oversight,” he said.

Bawa-Allah said the allegations of violations of federal character principles required a thorough investigation, noting that the affected candidates had made significant personal and financial sacrifices in anticipation of their employment.

“Some affected candidates resigned from their jobs, trained replacements, incurred substantial expenses and made important personal decisions.

“They did all these with the expectation that their published selection would lead to training and formal engagement.

” He stressed that the FCC was not an advisory body whose oversight federal establishments could recognise only when convenient.

“It is worthy to note that the FCC is not an advisory body that federal establishments may recognise only when convenient. It is a constitutional institution established to promote, monitor and enforce compliance with federal character principles in appointments and recruitment across ministries, departments and agencies,” he said.

Bawa-Allah directed the NCS to cooperate fully with the commission’s Committee on Financial Services and any investigation lawfully instituted by the commission.

He emphasised that the FCC would invoke its investigative, compliance and enforcement powers under the Constitution to ensure transparency and accountability in the recruitment process.

He added that the commission would take the necessary steps to ensure compliance with federal character principles.

“For clarity, the commission is not asking that unqualified candidates be recruited. The FCC does not replace merit.

“It requires suitably qualified candidates from all parts of Nigeria to receive equitable opportunities through transparent, verifiable and nationally inclusive procedures,” he said.

In a statement issued on October 19, the NCS acknowledged complaints from applicants who appeared on the recruitment shortlist but were subsequently disqualified from proceeding to the training college.

The Service said the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, had directed a case-by-case review of the complaints after meeting with some of the affected applicants.

It, however, clarified that appearing on the final shortlist did not automatically guarantee enlistment, noting that candidates were required to pass several stages of verification, including credential checks, physical fitness assessments, medical examinations, age verification and drug screening.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has stepped up efforts to reduce cargo dwell time, improve clearance efficiency and strengthen cargo monitoring through the planned deployment of advanced non-intrusive inspection scanners and an Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS).

The initiative reached a key milestone after a delegation of Customs officials and Trade Modernisation Project Limited (TMPL) completed a two-week Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for the newly acquired equipment in China.

The exercise, which took place from October 9 to 20, 2026, was conducted at the facility of Nuctech Company Limited, the manufacturer of the scanners and tracking system.

Led by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Information Communication and Technology/Modernisation, Oluyomi Adebakin, the delegation carried out technical assessments to verify that the equipment met contractual specifications and required operational standards before shipment to Nigeria.

The scanners are designed to improve cargo examination, while the tracking system will enable real-time monitoring of consignments from ports to their destinations.

Speaking during the exercise, Adebakin said the Customs Service, under Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, was committed to deploying technology to facilitate legitimate trade, improve revenue collection and strengthen national security.

She said the factory testing was a critical quality-assurance step to ensure the equipment was fit for the purpose before deployment.

According to her, the technology is expected to accelerate cargo examination, reduce dwell time, improve the detection of concealed and prohibited goods, and support more efficient trade processes.

“The Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of CGC Adeniyi, is committed to ensuring that we deploy only cutting-edge, fit-for-purpose technology that will fast-track cargo examination, reduce dwell time, and enhance our ability to detect concealments and prohibited items, improve revenue generation, as well as facilitate legitimate trade,” Adebakin said.

Also speaking, the Acting Comptroller of Non-Intrusive Inspection, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Umar Madugu, said the scanners and tracking system would reduce reliance on 100 per cent physical cargo examination and minimise direct human contact during inspection.

He added that the equipment would help curb cargo diversion and improve operational efficiency across Customs formations.

For Trade Modernisation Project Limited, the company’s General Manager, Bamidele Chinedu, described the factory acceptance test as a significant step in implementing the Trade Modernisation Project.

He said integrating non-intrusive inspection scanners with electronic cargo tracking would support the development of a more , technology-driven Customs system.

The Project Manager of Nuctech Company Limited, China, Niu transparentChao, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering the equipment, alongside technical support, capacity building and after-sales services.

As part of the exercise, technical personnel from the Customs Service and TMPL received training on operating and maintaining the scanners and tracking system ahead of their deployment in Nigeria.

By; Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos