The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted an international wildlife trafficking operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, rescuing two live lion cubs and arresting three suspects allegedly linked to the illicit movement.
The operation, conducted on August 4, 2026, was carried out by the Special Wildlife Office (SWO) of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), in collaboration with the FCT CIU, Customs Police Unit, FCT Command and conservation partner Focused Conservation.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Wildlife Office, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Anuhu Mani,and shared on the NCS’s Facebook page on Thursday.
According to the statement, the suspects allegedly attempted to transport the lion cubs from Kano through Abuja to Congo-Brazzaville.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives mounted surveillance around the airport’s cargo terminal and identified a black Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) suspected to be connected to the illegal wildlife movement.
The operation took a decisive turn when a CIU operative conducting a physical inspection of the vehicle reportedly heard animal sounds coming from the rear compartment.
Upon opening the luggage area, officers discovered two live lion cubs concealed inside crates.
Three suspects were subsequently arrested. They included the alleged owner of the animals, the driver of the vehicle and a Customs clearing agent.
The suspects are currently being interrogated as investigators work to establish the full extent of the alleged trafficking network and identify other individuals who may be involved.
Mani described the interception as a major conservation and enforcement breakthrough, stressing that Nigeria would not allow its territory to be used as a transit route for illegal wildlife trafficking.
He said the rescue was particularly significant given the declining population of wild lions in Nigeria and the broader threat posed by the illegal wildlife trade.
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The Customs said the Service would continue to use intelligence gathering, surveillance and profiling of trafficking routes to disrupt organised wildlife crime and bring perpetrators to justice.
The attempted shipment allegedly violated national and international wildlife protection regulations, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Nigeria’s Endangered Species Act.
Following the rescue, the two lion cubs were handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative for veterinary care, rehabilitation and appropriate conservation management.
The latest operation highlights the expanding role of the Nigeria Customs Service in combating environmental and wildlife-related crimes, particularly along Nigeria’s international transport corridors.
The NCS said the interception also demonstrates the importance of collaboration between law-enforcement agencies, intelligence units and conservation organisations in tackling the illegal trade in endangered species.
Under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, the Service has continued to strengthen intelligence-led enforcement operations aimed at disrupting transnational criminal activities, including wildlife trafficking.
The authorities are expected to intensify investigations into the case as efforts continue to uncover the wider network allegedly responsible for the attempted international movement of the lion cubs.
