Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, have intercepted a vehicle transporting protected wildlife species in violation of national and international conservation laws.
The operation took place around 2:19 a.m. on Sunday, 16 November 2025, during a routine stop-and-search at Gbaji along the Badagry–Seme Expressway.
A statement issued on Monday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Isah Sulaiman, revealed that officers stopped a blue Mazda with registration number MUS 743 HA.
A search of the vehicle uncovered one lion cub and two Patas monkeys concealed inside animals whose trade is tightly regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory.
Two occupants of the vehicle, identified as Mr. Mathew Kofi, a Beninese citizen, and Mr. Nasiru Usman Gwandu, a Nigerian, admitted ownership of the animals.
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They told investigators they had purchased them in Kano and were attempting to transport them to the Benin Republic.
The animals were immediately seized and taken to the Command for proper documentation, while both men were detained for further investigation to determine their involvement in a larger wildlife trafficking network.
To ensure the rescued animals received appropriate care and professional handling, the Command formally transferred custody of the lion cub and monkeys on Sunday to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative.
The handover was carried out by Deputy Comptroller AY Mohammed on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga.
Comptroller Adenuga reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws, strengthening environmental conservation efforts, and safeguarding Nigeria’s borders.
He also pledged continued collaboration with partner agencies to curb the illicit trade in endangered species.
