A lion cub and two Patas monkeys have been intercepted by operatives of the Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service during a stop-and-search operation at Gbaji along the Badagry–Seme expressway in Lagos State.
In a statement on Monday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman, said the endangered animals were found concealed inside a blue Mazda vehicle with registration number MUS 743 HA. Two suspects Mathew Kofi, a Beninese national, and Nasiru Usman Gwandu, a Nigerian were arrested. Both allegedly confessed to buying the animals in Kano and attempting to take them to the Benin Republic.
Sulaiman said the interception demonstrates the commitment of the Command to the protection of biodiversity in Nigeria and the enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora-CITES.
“Operatives found one lion cub and two patas monkeys being transported in contravention of national and international laws protecting wildlife,” he said.
The suspects were detained for further investigation while the animals were seized and handed over to Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative for medical evaluation, safety, and rehabilitation. The handover was done by Deputy Comptroller AY Mohammed on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga. Adenuga said the Command remained determined in the enforcement of wildlife protection laws, enhancing environmental conservation, and securing borders. He gave an assurance that Customs would continue to collaborate with relevant agencies in the fight against wildlife trafficking.
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