Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has successfully dismantled a wildlife trafficking syndicate through a joint operation conducted with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC).

The intelligence-led operation resulted in the interception of 22 pieces of elephant tusks weighing a total of 130.84 kilograms, the arrest of four male suspects, and the seizure of the vehicle used for conveying the illicit cargo.

According to a statement issued by the Customs Zone A Command, the operation was made possible through extensive intelligence gathering, surveillance, and investigations into an organized wildlife trafficking network operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.

The operation was coordinated by the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, and the SIS A Team of the Customs Intelligence Unit, with support from NESREA and the WJC.

The seizure was effected at about 4:30 p.m. on June 13, 2026, in Ofada, Mowe, Ogun State, while the suspects were simultaneously apprehended at various locations in Lagos.

Customs disclosed that the seized elephant tusks have an estimated black-market value in Asia of N126.39 million.

The recovered wildlife specimens and the suspects remain in custody pending the conclusion of investigations and subsequent prosecution.

Speaking on the development, the Controller of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, described the seizure as a clear demonstration of the unit’s commitment to enforcing national and international wildlife protection laws.

He noted that the operation was in line with Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which the country is a signatory.

He further cited Section 55(1)(i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, which prohibits the illegal trade in endangered species.

“This seizure underscores our ongoing efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking and protect biodiversity,” Comptroller Aliyu stated.

The Customs chief commended NESREA and the Wildlife Justice Commission for their invaluable support, noting that the success of the operation was a testament to effective inter-agency collaboration.

He urged the agencies to sustain the momentum in combating criminal networks that exploit Nigeria as a transit route for wildlife trafficking and other transnational crimes.

Comptroller Aliyu also appealed to members of the public to support the Nigeria Customs Service by reporting suspicious shipments, activities, or individuals linked to wildlife trafficking.

He assured that the Service would continue to take decisive enforcement actions against anyone found violating wildlife protection laws.

The Monday Discourse with Ibrahim Nasiru focuses on the attempts of Nigerian government to refloat the new national carrier that will replace the sunken Nigeria National Shipping Line(NNSL) and the heavy burden of paying the severance package of the retired seafarers who worked on the beleaguered shipping line almost 30 years after it was liquidated.

How can we float a new carrier when the foundation is still underwater?

This Monday, I am breaking down a heavy debt of honour hanging over Nigeria’s blue economy.

The government wants to launch a new national shipping line to stop bleeding $10 billion annually to foreign vessels.

The economic logic makes sense, but the foundation is completely broken.

Almost 30 years after the NNSL was liquidated, thousands of retirees are still waiting for their final severance pay.

Many have died in poverty waiting for bank alerts that never came.

Treating our pioneers like garbage sends a terrifying message to the next generation of cadets.

We need reconciliation before we talk about refloating.

Look out for the full piece tomorrow morning: “The Debt of Honour: No Progress Without Peace.”