Funso OLOJO, Editor 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, has rescued five more live pangolins in Ogun State, intensifying its crackdown on the illegal wildlife trade and raising fresh concerns about the activities of endangered-species trafficking syndicates.

The latest interception, carried out at about 1:18 a.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026, along the Igbo-Ora/Imeko-Afon axis of Ogun State, followed intelligence reports on the suspected movement of endangered wildlife.

Acting on the intelligence, Customs officers intercepted the five pangolins confined in wire-mesh cages and concealed in a manner suspected to have been designed to evade detection.

The suspected traffickers reportedly abandoned the animals and fled upon sighting the patrol team.

The rescue marks another intervention by the Unit against wildlife trafficking within approximately seven days, prompting calls for an extensive investigation to identify and dismantle the criminal networks behind the illicit trade.

In line with its commitment to wildlife protection, FOU Zone ‘A’ formally handed over the rescued animals to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre for safekeeping, rehabilitation and eventual release into a protected habitat.

The handover was conducted by the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Enforcement, Oluwaseun Oguntuase, on behalf of the Acting Controller of the Unit, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Oguntuase said the interception of multiple wildlife consignments within a short period underscored the need for sustained investigations and stronger enforcement measures against those involved in the illegal capture, transportation and trafficking of endangered species.

He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to combating wildlife trafficking, protecting endangered animals and enforcing Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), alongside relevant national legislation.

“Pangolins are among the world’s most trafficked mammals. This seizure is another clear warning to those involved in the illegal wildlife trade that Nigeria’s borders and transport corridors remain under active surveillance,” Oguntuase said.

Pangolins are listed under Appendix I of CITES, which generally prohibits international commercial trade in wild-caught specimens and their derivatives, subject to the Convention’s applicable provisions.

Nigeria’s Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act also provides a legal framework for protecting endangered wildlife and regulating activities involving listed species.

Oguntuase said FOU Zone ‘A’ would sustain intelligence-led operations, deepen collaboration with conservation organisations and other relevant stakeholders, and ensure that rescued animals receive appropriate care.

He warned that individuals involved in wildlife trafficking would face the full weight of the law.

“Those who engage in wildlife trafficking will be made to face the full weight of the law,” he declared.

Receiving the rescued pangolins, Dr. Austin Tochukwu of the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative Centre commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its vigilance and prompt intervention.

He assured the Service that the organisation would provide the animals with the necessary care and undertake efforts towards their rehabilitation and eventual release into a safe, protected environment.

The latest rescue underscores the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and wildlife conservation organisations in confronting the illegal wildlife trade.

The Nigeria Customs Service reiterated that protecting the country’s biodiversity is a shared national responsibility requiring sustained cooperation among government institutions, conservation partners and citizens.

As enforcement operations continue, attention is expected to focus on identifying the individuals and networks responsible for the movement of endangered wildlife through Nigeria’s transport corridors.

Funso OLOJO, Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tourism development and hospitality sector reforms, pledging continued support for initiatives aimed at unlocking the industry’s economic potential and positioning it as a major contributor to Nigeria’s non-oil economy.

The President gave the assurance on Thursday, October 22nd, 2026, during a meeting with the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Aare Abisoye Fagade, who briefed him on ongoing efforts to strengthen professional standards, develop industry skills and improve service delivery across the tourism, hospitality and travel sectors.

The engagement also featured the presentation of the Grand Fellow of National Hospitality and Tourism (GFNHT) to President Tinubu by Fagade.

The distinction, conferred by NIHOTOUR, is described by the institute as the highest singular honour in Nigeria’s tourism sector.

The meeting comes amid efforts to reposition tourism as a viable instrument for economic diversification, employment generation, investment attraction and enterprise development.

During his briefing, Fagade highlighted the institute’s ongoing reforms, particularly the implementation of the NIHOTOUR Act 2022, which provides a framework for strengthening professional standards, promoting accountability and improving the quality of services across the industry.

He explained that the reforms were designed to build a more structured and professional tourism ecosystem capable of attracting investment, creating jobs and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global tourism market.

According to him, Nigeria’s tourism potential extends far beyond leisure and recreation, offering significant opportunities for economic growth through hospitality, travel services, skills development and related businesses.

Fagade stressed that unlocking these opportunities would require sustained investment in human capital, effective institutional oversight and closer collaboration between government and private-sector operators.

“Our responsibility is to build the professional and institutional foundations that will enable Nigeria’s tourism potential to translate into jobs, investment and sustainable economic growth. ”

The President’s continued support is important to advancing these reforms and positioning the sector for greater national impact,” he said.

He noted that improving professional competence and establishing credible regulatory standards were essential to building public confidence, strengthening service delivery and creating an environment in which tourism businesses could thrive.

The NIHOTOUR chief executive added that a more professional and competitive industry would enhance Nigeria’s capacity to attract domestic and international visitors while expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs and other stakeholders across the tourism value chain.

The President’s pledge of continued support, according to the institute, underscores the importance of tourism within the Federal Government’s broader economic development strategy.

The sector aligns with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its emphasis on diversifying the economy, generating employment and developing productive sectors beyond oil.

With its potential to stimulate hospitality businesses, transport services, cultural enterprises and other supporting industries, tourism is increasingly being viewed as an avenue for broadening Nigeria’s economic base and creating opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.

NIHOTOUR reaffirmed its commitment to working with government institutions and private-sector stakeholders to advance the reforms, strengthen professional training and promote standards that can support a globally competitive tourism industry.

The institute said its objective was to build a more professional, accountable and internationally recognised sector capable of generating sustainable economic value and delivering lasting benefits to Nigerians.

Funso OLOJO,  Editor

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has intensified its enforcement of Nigeria’s Cabotage regime, detaining several vessels over alleged regulatory infractions in the Lagos maritime domain.

The vessels, identified as MT Holmes, MT Fujairah Energy, JS Gratitude and MT Bora, were apprehended during a targeted enforcement operation codenamed Operation Sea Guardian, launched to strengthen compliance with Nigeria’s maritime laws and indigenous participation requirements in coastal shipping.

Some of the detained vessels have since been released after regularising their respective infractions, while the enforcement drive underscores NIMASA’s renewed determination to ensure that operators comply with applicable maritime regulations.

The operation was designed to verify compliance with Cabotage obligations, assess adherence to applicable surcharges and levies, and ensure that vessels operating within Nigerian waters meet statutory requirements.

To achieve these objectives, NIMASA deployed assets under the Deep Blue Project to track, board, inspect and verify vessels identified through intelligence reports, surveillance profiling and other compliance indicators.

The operation also involved coordinated efforts by NIMASA enforcement personnel, the Nigerian Navy, the Maritime Guard Command and C4i intelligence personnel, reinforcing inter-agency collaboration in maritime law enforcement.

According to the Agency, the operation adopted an intelligence-driven approach to identify vessels considered to have a high likelihood of defaulting on Cabotage obligations.

The identified vessels were prioritised for further scrutiny and incorporated into a broader Target Bank established during an earlier enforcement operation.

The Target Bank serves as a consolidated repository of vessels of interest, providing a strategic reference for planning subsequent enforcement activities and enabling the Agency to concentrate operational resources on high-risk targets.

Reacting to the development, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the Agency would sustain and intensify such operations to compel compliance with the country’s maritime laws.

He warned that operators who disregard the provisions of the Cabotage Act and other applicable regulations would face the full consequences of the law.

“We had earlier served notice of enhanced enforcement of indigenous participation in our coastal and inland trade, and this is exactly what we are doing.

“It is therefore in the interest of operators to ensure total compliance because defaulters will be visited with stiff sanctions in line with the law,” Mobereola said.

The Director-General’s warning signals a tougher enforcement posture by NIMASA as the Agency seeks to strengthen indigenous participation in Nigeria’s coastal and inland shipping trade.

The operation also follows a marine notice issued by NIMASA on August 26, 2026, in furtherance of its statutory mandate to promote the development of indigenous capacity in international and coastal shipping.

The notice restated the conditions governing participation in Cabotage trade and warned vessel owners, shipping companies, operators, charterers and other stakeholders against violating the Cabotage Act or any applicable requirements.

It further made clear that violations would attract appropriate enforcement action by the Agency in accordance with the law.

By combining intelligence-led surveillance, coordinated maritime patrols and targeted inspections, NIMASA is seeking to close compliance gaps and strengthen oversight of vessels operating in Nigerian waters.

The sustained enforcement of the Cabotage regime is also critical to protecting opportunities for Nigerian shipowners and operators, encouraging investment in indigenous shipping capacity and ensuring that the country’s coastal trade contributes more effectively to national economic development.

With Operation Sea Guardian, NIMASA has reinforced its position that compliance with Nigeria’s maritime regulations is mandatory, warning that operators who fail to regularise their activities risk detention and other statutory sanctions.