Major wildlife trafficking disruption: joint NCS–WJC operation leads to 3.765 tonnes pangolin scales seizure in Lagos

International Seizures Nigeria Seizures

Posted by TGANB-Admin on 2025-11-28 06:59:54 |

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In a significant blow to wildlife traffickers, a joint operation between NCS and the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) resulted in the seizure of 3.765 tonnes of pangolin scales in Lagos. The scale of the haul — representing the deaths of nearly 1,900 pangolins — underlines the enormous pressure on endangered species due to illegal wildlife trade.

According to WJC, the operation was intelligence-led, targeting a trafficking network operating between Nigeria and overseas destinations. Multiple arrests were made, involving persons believed to be middlemen and logisticians. The seizure is part of a broader crackdown since 2021: according to WJC records, the Nigeria–WJC partnership has accounted for 95% of pangolin-scale seizures in Nigeria during that period.

Authorities cited disrupted shipment routes, increased scrutiny of containers, and cooperation with international bodies. Environmental groups hailed the operation as a breakthrough, noting that it disrupts a supply pipeline feeding high-demand markets in Asia. Still, activists warn that given the global demand, traffickers may adapt their routes — and call for stronger laws, better funding for enforcement, and stricter port-side inspections. The significance of the seizure goes beyond quantity: it sends a loud message that Nigeria is no longer a soft transit point for wildlife products.

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