The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted three live pangolins concealed in sacks at Abeokuta Waterside in Ogun State. The endangered animals were discovered by a patrol team acting on intelligence, while the suspected smugglers fled after sighting the officers.

The Ogun I Command said the pangolins were confined in wire mesh cages and hidden inside sacks in what appeared to be an attempt to evade detection. The animals have since been handed over to Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation for rehabilitation and eventual release into a protected habitat.

The Acting Customs Area Controller, Abdulhamid Ibrahim, warned wildlife traffickers that offenders risk fines of up to 12 million naira and prison terms of up to 10 years under the relevant conservation laws. He reaffirmed the service’s commitment to combating illegal wildlife trade and protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity.