Pangolin scales smuggling Nigeria halted by Customs in Kano as 420kg of illegal wildlife products are seized, raising alarms over trafficking threats
The pangolin scales smuggling Nigeria case has taken a significant turn, as the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) apprehended suspects and confiscated 420kg of smuggled pangolin scales in Kano.
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Comptroller Abubakar Dalhatu, who leads the Kano/Jigawa Command, revealed the breakthrough during a press briefing.
He noted that the illegal wildlife product, valued in millions of naira, was intercepted on 16 July 2025 during a joint operation involving the Command’s Special Wildlife Office, Intelligence Unit, and Police Unit.
“These scales are made of keratin—the same substance found in human fingernails and hair,” Dalhatu said. “They are highly prized in traditional medicine, especially in Asia, making pangolins frequent targets for smugglers.”
Dalhatu stressed that Nigerian pangolins are under threat from this international black market trade. He stated the NCS is intensifying its efforts to halt such activities and reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to biodiversity.
He emphasised the broader implications of wildlife crime, explaining, “This operation is about more than confiscating scales.
It’s about safeguarding species, preserving natural heritage, and protecting our national ecological balance.”
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The Comptroller warned that the Command would not tolerate any threats to wildlife. He reaffirmed their readiness to enhance surveillance using advanced technology.
