In a significant blow to wildlife traffickers, officials of the Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, have seized a consignment of endangered species, including a lion cub and two monkeys.
The seizure was made at Gbaji, a border route in Lagos, where customs officials intercepted a vehicle transporting the animals.
The animals were being smuggled out of the country for illicit trade, but were rescued and are currently receiving care.
The seizure is a major victory in the fight against wildlife trafficking in Nigeria, and highlights the importance of collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies and conservation organizations to protect endangered species.
The Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, confirmed the rescue operations, saying that the move is part of the Command’s determination to demonstrate unwavering commitment to protecting the nation’s biodiversity and to uphold Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Comptroller Adenuga disclosed that operatives of the Command, on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at about 2.19am, intercepted a blue Mazda vehicle with registration number MUS 743 HA during a stop-and-search operation at Gbaji, along the Badagry–Seme Expressway.
He revealed that upon inspection, the operatives discovered One Lion Cub and two Patas Monkeys being transported in the vehicle in clear violation of national and international wildlife protection laws.
According to him, two individuals, Mr. Mathew Kofi, a Beninese national, and Mr. Nasiru Usman Gwandu, a Nigerian; who claimed ownership of the animals had allegedly confessed to have purchased the animals in Kano with the intention of conveying them to the Benin Republic.
” In line with Nigeria’s status as a signatory to CITES and consistent with global standards for wildlife protection, the endangered species were immediately confiscated and brought to the Command for documentation, while the Two (2) male suspects were detained for further investigation to ascertain the level of their involvement in wildlife trafficking.
” For proper care, safety and expert handling, the endangered species were formally handed over on Sunday, November 16, 2025, to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative. The handover was carried out by Deputy Comptroller AY Mohammed (DC Administration) on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga” he said.
Meanwhile, Adenuga has reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to enforcing all laws relating to wildlife protection, environmental conservation and border security.
He reiterated the Command’s resolve to continue working with relevant agencies to ensure that the illegal trade in endangered species is decisively curtailed.
