Customs seizes N22bn animal parts, N338.58m goods

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), on Wednesday, said it intercepted N22.2 billion worth of elephant and pangolin scales and claws in an apartment in the Lekki area of Lagos.

It also seized goods worth over N338.58 million in Kaduna and Katsina states between July and August 2021.

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Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), while showcasing the seizure at the Nigeria Customs Training College, Ikeja, said the three persons arrested are Mr Traore Djakonba, Mr Isiak Musa and Mr Mohammed Bereta.

He said extensive collaboration yielded credible intelligence that triggered the operation by the Customs Intelligence Unit and the Headquarters Strike force.

“This led to the evacuation of sacks of different kilograms of pangolin scales and elephant tusks at a location on the Eastern side of Ijeoma Street, Lekki, Lagos state.

“Proper examination of the sacks revealed the following:17,137.40kg of pangolin scales (196 sacks). 870.44kg elephant risk and 4.60kg pangolin claws. All with an estimated value of N22,283,747,850,” he said.

Meanwhile the Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B, Kaduna, Albashir Hamisu, said it seized goods worth N278.58m in July in the Kaduna area.

He stated this while handing over 250 parcels of Indian hemp worth over N10.44m as part of the seizure to the NDLEA State Coordinator, Uche Iyke, at the FOU headquarters in Kaduna.

Acting Controller of Customs, Katsina State Area Command, Dalha Wada, said the command intercepted goods valued at N60m between July and August 3. They include Lexus saloon 2011 model with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.6m, Toyota Corolla 2015, with DPV of over N7m, among others.

Wada further explained that the total value of the 13 vehicles intercepted was N42.1m as well as other consumable goods.

From Mohammed I. Yaba (Kaduna), Tijjani Ibrahim (Katsina) & Eugene Agha (Lagos)