Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Seme have successfully rescued a lion cub and two Patas monkeys from suspected wildlife traffickers. The rescue happened during a stop-and-search operation along the Badagry–Seme Expressway.
The operation took place early Sunday morning, November 16, 2025, at about 2:19 a.m. When officers stopped a blue Mazda vehicle with the registration number MUS 743 HA at the Gbaji area, they decided to check the vehicle thoroughly.
During the inspection, the officers found the endangered animals being illegally transported. These animals are protected by Nigerian and international laws that prevent illegal trade and hunting of wildlife.
Two men were found claiming ownership of the animals. One, Mathew Kofi, is a citizen of Benin Republic, while the other, Nasiru Usman Gwandu, is Nigerian. The suspects admitted that they bought the animals in Kano and planned to transport them to the Benin Republic.
The endangered animals were immediately seized, documented, and taken to the Customs Command for proper handling. This action aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to the international wildlife protection treaty called CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
The suspects are now being held for further investigation to understand their involvement in wildlife trafficking. The rescued animals were handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative for care and proper treatment.
A senior Customs officer, Comptroller Adenuga, reaffirmed the Service’s dedication to enforcing laws that protect wildlife, the environment, and our borders. He also emphasized that the Customs Service will continue working with other government agencies to stop illegal trade in endangered animals and protect Nigeria’s natural heritage.
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