The Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Sunday intercepted a lion cub and two patas monkeys being transported out of Nigeria, illegally.
The attempted transportation of the animals which were concealed in a vehicle, is in violation of national and international wildlife protection laws.
In a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, the NCS confirmed that two suspects, Mr. Mathew Kofi, a Beninese national, and Mr. Nasiru Usman Gwandu, a Nigerian who claimed ownership of the wildlife, were arrested in connection with the intercepted animals.
One of the suspects, Gwandu, admitted they had purchased the animals in Kano and intended to transport them to the Benin Republic.
According to the statement, ‘In our determination to demonstrate unwavering commitment to protecting our nation’s biodiversity and to uphold Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), operatives of the Command, on Sunday, 16 November 2025, at about 0219hrs, intercepted a blue Mazda vehicle with registration number MUS 743 HA during a stop-and-search operation at Gbaji, along the Badagry- Seme border.
‘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.
‘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 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 to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative’.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Adewale Adenuga, reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering commitment to enforcing all laws relating to wildlife protection, environmental conservation, and border security.
Controller Adenuga pledged further that the Command will continue to work with relevant agencies in curbing illegal trade, both in goods and endangered species.
