The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 15 sacks of pangolin scales weighing 1,014.5kg with a Duty Paid Value of over N1.7 billion in Lagos.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) disclosed this Monday in a media conference in Lagos.
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Ali who was represented by the National Public Relations Officer, NSC, DC Joseph Attah disclosed that some foreigners with active connivance of few Nigerians are bent on using our dear country as a transit route for illegal wild life trade.
He said a DNA test would be conducted on the scales to know which country the scales emanated from
While disclosing that two suspects were arrested with the items, Attah said: “those who bought these things were not Nigerians but from Asian countries and well developed countries, stating that Nigerians that were involved were lured by money to provide warehouse where the parts could be stored.”
Barely two months ago, NCS acting on credible intelligence provided by international partners, announced wild life seizure worth over N22bn with arrested suspects currently facing prosecution.
Attah said: “In the course of further investigation to arrest other members of the gang, we received another credible intelligence from the same international partner, WildLife Justice Commission, and swiftly deployed our intelligence operatives with the Strike Force as a SWAT team.
He named the two suspects already arrested in connection with the seizure as: Salif Sanwidi and Sunday Ebenyi, adding that they would be charged to court to answer for their crimes.
“Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. As responsible members of the global community, we cannot allow our nation to be used as a conduit pipe for illegal trade on wild life.” He added.
