Africa-Press – Nigeria. Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Seme Area Command, have intercepted a vehicle transporting endangered wildlife in violation of national and international conservation laws.
The operation occurred at approximately 2:19 a.m. on Sunday, 16 November 2025, during a routine stop-and-search at Gbaji along the Badagry-Seme Expressway.
According to a statement released on Monday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, officers stopped a blue Mazda with registration number MUS 743 HA.
A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a lion cub and two Patas monkeys, species whose trade is strictly regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES, to which Nigeria is a signatory.
The two occupants of the vehicle, identified as Mr Mathew Kofi, a Beninese national, and Mr Nasiru Usman Gwandu, a Nigerian, admitted ownership of the animals.
They reportedly purchased the wildlife in Kano and were attempting to transport them to the Benin Republic.
The animals were immediately seized and documented by the Customs Command, while both men were detained for further investigation to ascertain their potential links to a larger wildlife trafficking network.
To ensure the rescued animals received proper care, custody of the lion cub and monkeys was formally transferred on Sunday to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative.
The handover was conducted by Deputy Comptroller AY Mohammed on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga.
Comptroller Adenuga reiterated the Command’s commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws, promoting environmental conservation, and securing Nigeria’s borders.
He also pledged continued collaboration with relevant agencies to combat the illegal trade in endangered species.
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