The Nigeria Customs Service has rescued four live pangolins from a boat sailing along the Arapa Creek, an area known as a transit point for wildlife trafficking operations.
what happened?
According to Nigeria’s Guardian newspaper, authorities intercepted a smuggling attempt in the coastal area of Agilete, an area frequently monitored due to rampant crime.
The operation was carried out by officers from the Federal Operations Force during a night patrol in mid-January.
Acting on reliable tips, the team intercepted a wooden boat carrying pangolins, which were being transported in rudimentary wire mesh cages.
After spotting customs officials, the suspected smugglers fled into surrounding creeks to evade arrest, allowing the animals to be captured without confrontation.
After recovering from their injuries, the four pangolins were promptly handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Center for proper treatment.
“This interception reflects the professionalism, courage and dedication of our officers, especially during night operations,” Auditor General Gambo Aliyu, head of Zone A of the federal operations branch, said in a statement.
“I urge all personnel to remain vigilant and resolute in combating cross-border crime, and the department will continue to enforce wildlife protection laws and work with relevant stakeholders to eliminate illegal trade in endangered species.”
Why is pangolin smuggling a concern?
Pangolins are one of the most trafficked mammals in the world, driven largely by illegal international demand for their scales and meat – even though they are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Nigeria is considered the world’s largest hub for pangolin trafficking, mainly from Africa to Asia.
According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, seizure data show that between 2010 and 2021, nearly 419,000 pounds of pangolin products (mainly scales) were trafficked, equivalent to nearly 1 million pangolin animals. Scientists believe these numbers may be much higher.
Pangolins in Nigeria are threatened with extinction, so the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime believes the species being trafficked in the country are likely to come from other countries, the BBC reported.
All eight species of pangolins are listed as critically endangered. All four native species in Asia face severe declines due to poaching, so smugglers have turned to exploiting species in Africa.
Pangolins are known as “guardians of the forest” and help control termite populations and maintain biodiversity, according to The Nature Conservancy.
The Zoological Society of London says adult pangolins can eat up to 70 million ants and termites each year, helping to protect forests from destruction. Their burrowing behavior aerates the soil, which aids in nutrient cycling and provides shelter for other species.
Law enforcement officials face an ongoing battle to save pangolins in Nigeria. In 2025, they arrested five people suspected of smuggling approximately 8,000 pounds of scales.
What is being done to stop it?
Customs officials will step up surveillance of Arapa Creek and surrounding waterways, and the Nigerian Senate has passed a bill aimed at combating wildlife trafficking of pangolin scales and other animal products, The Guardian reported. It imposed a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of more than $8,000.
However, pangolin populations remain vulnerable to exploitation due to continued demand for their scales and meat, highlighting the need for increased conservation and public awareness campaigns to educate others about the importance of pangolins.
Donations to wildlife organizations and rehabilitation centers can also help the species recover.
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