From, Ahmed Ahmed
Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone 'D' has seized 216 kilograms of pangolin scales and claws contraband valued at N48 million.
This is contained in a letter to Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service Customs, Abuja and signed by the Acting Controller, FOU, Zone "D" Bauchi, Mr Joseph Adelaja made available to Newsmen on Monday in Bauchi.
The letter said "Incident report on interception and evacuation of four sacks of Pangolin scales and one small sack of Pangolin claws weighing 216 kgs, along Sangere-Yola Axis, Adamawa State, on Thursday, May 11, 2023.
According to the letter, on the said date (Thursday, May 11, 2023), at about 11:15pm, while acting on credible intelligence the Acting Controller, FOU, constituted a team comprising of men of FOU zone D Bauchi and also swiftly deployed the Maiha/Belel Liaison, roving team 'A' and yola roving patrol eams of the unit.
"The team raided a makeshift shop at a motor park along Sangere-Yola Axis and evacuated Four (4) sacks and One (1) small sack of Pangolin scales/claws.
"The evacuated sacks of Pangolin scales/claws were weighed to be a total of 216 kgs (with a Duty Paid Value of N48 million).
"On the instructions of the Ag. Controller FOU Zone 'D', the sacks of Pangolin scales/claws were seized and deposited in Government Warehouse Bauchi/Gombe Area Command for safe keeping," the letter partly reads.
On his part, Mr Umar Abdullahi, FOU Public Relations Officer, Umar Abdullahi, said that the contraband contravened provision of Section 63 of Customs and Excise Management Act CAP 45 Laws of the Federal Government of Nigeria 2004.
"It is important to also note that illegal wildlife trade is contrary to the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), especially items on Appendix 1 where Pangolin falls under," he said.
Abdullahi warned that the Customs Service is alive and responsive to its constitutional duties.
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