The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been actively engaged in intercepting illegal shipments, with a notable emphasis on arms and wildlife trafficking since 2018. According to the service, they have intercepted 20 significant shipments over this period, which included a total of 10,498 pieces of various arms and 114,929 pieces of ammunition, holding an estimated duty-paid value of N9.58 billion. Recently, the service’s Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed that a staggering 60 percent of these interceptions occurred in 2023 alone. This uptick in illegal shipments indicates not only the success of the NCS’s enhanced efforts but also underscores the increasingly sophisticated methods used by smugglers attempting to penetrate Nigeria’s borders.
Adeniyi’s focus on the statistics reveals that the intensified efforts of the Customs Service have resulted in significant seizures in recent years, particularly this year, which accounts for a considerable percentage of the total duty-paid value as well as the quantity of arms and ammunition intercepted. The data presented indicates that 34.67 percent of the total duty-paid value, 20.58 percent of the arms seized, and a staggering 99.62 percent of the ammunition intercepted over the past six years stem from activities within the current year. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for continuous monitoring and adaptation of customs efforts to counteract the evolving smuggling tactics being employed.
In addition to arms trafficking, Adeniyi expressed grave concerns over the escalating issue of wildlife trafficking in Nigeria, which threatens not only the country’s biodiversity but also its international standing. He pointed out that the illegal trafficking of endangered species, particularly pangolin scales, has positioned Nigeria as a significant transit hub in the global wildlife trafficking network. This alarming trend necessitates robust interventions to preserve the country’s natural heritage and protect its biodiversity while restoring its international reputation.
In August, the NCS, in partnership with the Wildlife Justice Commission, launched a significant enforcement operation that resulted in the seizure of an impressive 9,493 kg of pangolin scales. This operation is regarded as the largest seizure of pangolin scales globally since January 2020, showcasing the NCS’s commitment to combat wildlife trafficking. Additionally, further operations conducted in Kano/Kaduna and Lagos yielded an additional 2,293 tons and 7.2 tons of pangolin scales, respectively, leading to four arrests in connection with these illegal activities.
The staggering amounts seized highlight a broader issue regarding wildlife trafficking, with the total interception of pangolin scales by the NCS and the Wildlife Justice Commission rising to nearly 20 tons since 2021. This figure represents the loss of over 30,000 pangolin species, underscoring the severity of the crisis. Adeniyi reaffirmed the NCS’s dedication to joining forces with local and international partners to combat wildlife trafficking and bring those responsible for these crimes to justice. The organization’s proactive stance is vital in addressing this pressing environmental and ethical issue.
Adeniyi also made note of specific ongoing investigations tied to international operations, one of which involves a shipment intercepted at Hai Phong Port in Vietnam that was previously linked to Onne Port in Port Harcourt. The shipment consisted of 1,580 kg of elephant tusks, leading to the arrest of three individuals involved in the illegal exportation. Moreover, the NCS’s persistent efforts are also directed toward curbing the importation of illicit and potentially harmful pharmaceuticals, demonstrating a wide-ranging commitment to battling trafficking in various forms. Overall, the Nigeria Customs Service is firmly involved in crucial operations aimed at protecting both national security and biodiversity while engaging with partners in the fight against these interconnected issues.
