Three arrested as Customs intercepts wildlife traffickers, rescue two lion cubs at Abuja Airport

By Clement Omanibe, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted an international wildlife trafficking operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Operatives of the Service rescued two live lion cubs in the operation. They also arrested three suspects allegedly linked to the illicit movement of the animals.

This was disclosed in a report released by Assistant Comptroller of Customs Anuhu Mani, Officer-in-Charge of the Special Wildlife Office.

According to the report, the suspects allegedly attempted to transport the lion cubs from Kano through Abuja to Congo-Brazzaville their final destination.

The interception was carried out on August 4, 2026, by the Special Wildlife Office (SWO) of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), in collaboration with the FCT CIU, Customs Police Unit (CPU), FCT Command and conservation partner, Focused Conservation.

While acting on actionable intelligence, Customs operatives mounted surveillance at the airport’s Cargo Terminal, where they identified a black SUV allegedly connected to the trafficking attempt.

The CIU operatives conducting a physical inspection of the vehicle became curious when they reportedly heard animal cries coming from the rear compartment.

When they opened the luggage area, the officers discovered two live lion cubs concealed inside crates.

Subsequently, three suspects were arrested, including the alleged owner of the animals, the driver of the vehicle and a Customs clearing agent.

The report said that the suspects are currently undergoing interrogation. It added that investigators are working to unravel the network allegedly behind the trafficking operation.

Mani who described the interception as a significant enforcement and conservation victory, stressed that the Nigeria Customs would not allow Nigeria to become a transit route or safe haven for wildlife trafficking syndicates.

“This operation sends an unmistakable message that Nigeria will not serve as a transit hub or safe haven for wildlife trafficking syndicates,” Mani said.

He added that following the decline in population of wild lions in Nigeria, the rescue of the cubs represented more than a successful enforcement operation.

“With fewer lions remaining in Nigeria’s wild, saving these cubs is not just an enforcement success, it is a critical conservation victory,” he said.

Mani said the Special Wildlife Office would continue to leverage intelligence, profile trafficking routes and pursue those involved in the illegal trade in endangered species.

He added that the attempted transportation of the lion cubs violated key national and international wildlife protection instruments, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Nigeria’s Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The two lion cubs were handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative for specialised veterinary care and rehabilitation.

The Customs Service said the operation portrayed the intensive role of the NCS in combating organised environmental crime and protecting Nigeria’s wildlife resources.

Under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the NCS has continued to strengthen its enforcement capacity against wildlife trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime.