The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has arrested a suspected wildlife trafficker and rescued a captive baby gorilla during a raid in Kofar Mata, Kano State.
The operation, carried out on July 7 by the NCS Special Wildlife Office of the Customs Intelligence Unit in collaboration with Focused Conservation, the Customs Police Unit and officers of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
The Service disclosed the development in a statement shared on its official social media platforms on Thursday, describing the operation as a major breakthrough in its ongoing fight against illegal wildlife trafficking.
According to the Officer-in-Charge of the NCS Special Wildlife Office, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Anuhu Mani, the rescued infant gorilla has been transferred to a veterinary facility for specialised medical care and rehabilitation.
“The rescued infant gorilla had been transferred to veterinary care and is receiving specialised medical attention and rehabilitation,” Mani said.
He explained that the operation targeted syndicates involved in the illegal trade and supply of protected primates within the Kano axis, noting that the success of the raid underscored the importance of intelligence-led operations and collaboration with conservation partners.
“Investigations are actively ongoing as we follow all actionable leads generated from this operation,” he added.
Mani said the Nigeria Customs Service would not reveal the identity of the suspect or disclose additional operational details to avoid jeopardising ongoing investigations.
“To preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation and ensure that fleeing members of the trafficking network do not evade justice, the NCS is withholding further operational details, including the identity of the suspect,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the Service’s zero-tolerance stance on wildlife trafficking, stressing that the NCS remains committed to enforcing laws protecting endangered species and safeguarding Nigeria’s natural heritage.
