NIGERIA CUSTOMS INTERCEPTS TRAFFICKING RING AT ABUJA AIRPORT, FOILS PLAN TO SMUGGLE TWO LION CUBS ABROAD

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted an international wildlife trafficking operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, rescuing two live lion cubs and arresting three suspects linked to the attempted smuggling.

The intelligence-led operation 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.

According to a report released on August 10 by Assistant Comptroller of Customs Anuhu Mani, Officer-in-Charge of the Special Wildlife Office, the suspects allegedly attempted to transport the lion cubs from Kano through Abuja, with Congo-Brazzaville as their intended final destination.

Acting on intelligence, Customs operatives mounted surveillance at the airport's Cargo Terminal and identified a black SUV suspected to be involved in the illegal movement.

During a physical inspection of the vehicle, an officer reportedly heard animal cries coming from the rear compartment. Upon opening the luggage area, the operatives discovered two lion cubs concealed inside crates.

Three suspects were subsequently arrested. They include the alleged owner of the animals, the driver of the vehicle and a Customs clearing agent. The suspects are currently being interrogated as investigations continue into the wider trafficking network.

Mani said the operation demonstrated the Service's commitment to combating wildlife trafficking, stressing that Nigeria would not become a transit route or safe haven for international wildlife trafficking syndicates.

He added that with Nigeria's wild lion population declining, rescuing the cubs represents both an enforcement achievement and a significant conservation victory.

The attempted trafficking reportedly violates national and international wildlife protection laws, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Nigeria's Endangered Species Act.

Following their rescue, the two lion cubs were handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative for veterinary care, rehabilitation and further conservation management.

The NCS said the successful operation further demonstrates its expanding role in tackling organised environmental crime and wildlife trafficking across Nigeria and West Africa's transport corridors under the leadership of Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi.

Comments

Post a Comment

TRENDING ON RWGBLOG NEWS

ALETO COMMUNITY RENEWS CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY FROM ELEME LAWMAKER, HON. AFORJI IGWE OBEY

Image
The Aleto community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State has renewed its call for transparency, accountability and justice over funds allegedly allocated to landowners and host communities connected to Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals, Fertiliser and Super-Packaging companies. Aleto is one of the six host communities to Indorama Eleme. The community says it donated about 159 hectares of land out of approximately 369 hectares used for the development of the company, with the land forming part of the equity arrangement involving the host communities. According to members of the community, families that surrendered their farmlands for the project have, since 2012, continued to demand a clear account of funds and benefits allegedly meant for landowners and other beneficiaries. The renewed call follows a series of protests, letters and appeals by concerned residents, who allege that billions of naira credited to landowners and beneficiaries have not been transparently acc...
Continue Reading »

23-YR-OLD NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL STUDENT ENDS IT ALL FROM 4-STOREY HOSTEL ON LAGOS CAMPUS

Image
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the de@th of 23-year-old Faith Ajoke Alayande, a student of the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, Victoria Island. Alayande was reportedly found de@d within the hostel premises on Friday, August 7, 2026, after she allegedly jumped from the rooftop of a four-storey hostel building. According to the police, a s¥ic+de note was reportedly discovered by her hostel mate and a relative, who began searching for her before she was allegedly found after the incident. The matter was reported to the Victoria Island Police Division by the hostel’s Chief Matron at about 6:30 a.m. Police officers subsequently visited the scene and evacuated Alayande’s body to a morgue for preservation. The command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident and said investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the student’s de@th. Meanwhile, Uchenna Marvin, who said he supervised Alayande during her university years, desc...
Continue Reading »

"SOMEONE LIKE LESI MAOL, WHO ALLEGEDLY DECEIVED A YOUNG KHANA GIRL, IMPREGNATED HER AND ABANDONED HER, AND YOU SAY SUCH PERSON HAS CHARACTER?" - GANI TOPBA ALLEGES

Image
The President of Kagote, Chief Lesi Maol, has come under fresh criticism following his recent remarks at an Ogoni stakeholders’ meeting convened to address concerns surrounding the proliferation of youth groups in Ogoniland. Some Ogoni youth leaders have rejected the position attributed to the Kagote president, arguing that every Ogoni youth has the constitutional right to freedom of association. They maintained that the existence of multiple youth organisations should not be viewed as an obstacle to the development of Ogoniland, provided such groups operate within the law. One of the vocal critics of Chief Lesi Maol, Gani Topba, has also reacted to the comments, accusing the Kagote president of making derogatory remarks about Ogoni youths by allegedly describing them as hungry and calling for the disbandment of youth organisations. «“Lesi Maol, who is a major bunker in Ogoniland, insults Ogoni youths by calling them hungry.” — Gani Topba alleged.» Topba further argued that...
Continue Reading »

OIL RESUMPTION IN OGONILAND: OOGHCYA DEMANDS TRANSPARENCY, URGES IMMEDIATE ENGAGEMENT OVER YORLA SOUTH OIL FIELD AWARD

Image
The Ogoni Oil and Gas Host Communities Youth Association (OOGHCYA) has called for greater transparency, accountability and immediate engagement with host communities following reports surrounding the award of the Yorla South Oil Field in Ogoniland. The call was made by the association through Comr Teddy Gianen, who urged the relevant government authorities, regulatory agencies, oil industry stakeholders and other parties involved in the process to provide clear and detailed information on the circumstances surrounding the reported award of the oil field. According to OOGHCYA, decisions concerning oil and gas assets located within Ogoni communities should not be taken without adequate consultation with the people directly affected by such activities. The association stressed that host communities have legitimate interests in the management, development and benefits associated with oil resources located within their ancestral territories. Comr Teddy Gianen further called on t...
Continue Reading »

USING AN ADULT TOY IS NOT A SIN. I RECOMMEND IT TO COUPLES TO HELP PREVENT - APOSTLE AGHASEDO

Image
Apostle Joshua Aghasedo has sparked debate after sharing his perspective on the use of adult toys within marriage, arguing that such items can be viewed as equipment to assist married couples. Speaking on the subject, Aghasedo compared adult toys to everyday equipment such as cars and phones, asking whether using such devices could inherently be considered sinful. “Is using a s+x toy a sin? Let’s hear the grace. Let’s hear the grace. Is driving a car, is it a sin? A car to drive you from here to Dallas, is it a sin? Using the phone, is it a sin?” he asked. The cleric said he had never personally used one but described it as “an equipment” that could assist married couples. “I have never used a s+x toy. Let me just say. But in this modern day of technology, it’s an equipment. It can help you do the job to 90%, and you finish the remaining 10%. I’m just being real. It can help you,” he said. Aghasedo further disclosed that he had previously suggested such an item to a married...
Continue Reading »

" I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY MAN ON THE SURFACE OF THIS EARTH THAT CAN DO ONE-TENTH OF WHAT LESI MAOL IS DOING IN OGONILAND." - NWISABARI BANI

Image
The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Comrade Nwisabari Bani, has responded to a series of allegations made by Gani Topba, particularly Topba’s description of the Ogoni stakeholders’ meeting hosted by KAGOTE as an illegal gathering. Bani, while reacting to the allegations, accused Gani Topba of being known in Ogoniland for consistently attacking leaders and portraying virtually every Ogoni leader in a negative light. According to him, Topba has no basis for describing the stakeholders’ meeting as illegal, noting that the gathering was attended by prominent leaders across Ogoniland, including political leaders, traditional rulers and opinion leaders. Bani stressed that the absence of Gani Topba from the meeting or the fact that he was not invited does not make the gathering illegal. “If Gani Topba was not invited to the Ogoni stakeholders’ meeting hosted by KAGOTE, that does not make the meeting illegal,” he said. He also urged Gani Topba to stop referring t...
Continue Reading »

BREAKING NEWS: POPULAR ONDO PASTOR DUMPS CHRISTIANITY TO BECOME A BABALAWO

Image
Pastor Olabanjo Felix Gold of the Image of God Evangelical and Prophetic Ministrues has announced his conversion from Christianity to Ìṣẹ̀ṣe (Ifa worship), saying his spiritual journey had led him to the traditional faith. In a video shared online, the cleric expressed gratitude to Ifa and acknowledged the spiritual elders who he said had guided him on his new path. “I am Pastor Olabanjo Felix Gold, who was formerly the founder of Image of God Evangelical Ministries before, but who is now Ifawamiri Aworan Olodumare, Babalawo of Ifá,” he said. The pastor also expressed appreciation to his Oluwo, Baba Aifuwapẹ, Oluṣẹgun Latunji, whom he identified as the Araba of Isararemọ. “I want to use this time to thank my father, my Oluwo, my father, Aifuwapẹ, Oluṣẹgun Latunji, who is the Araba of Isararemọ,” he said. Olabanjo also acknowledged others who, according to him, stood by him throughout the journey, while highlighting the role of elders in the spiritual work. “I want to thank ...
Continue Reading »

BREAKING NEWS: GBENGA OLOWO APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE AFFAIRS FOR NIGERIA DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS

Image
Popular Rivers State music artist, Tamunotonye G. Olowosuko, popularly known as Gbenga Olowo,  (the Lanmaya King) has been appointed Director of Creative Affairs of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Gbenga Olowo, the crooner of the hit song Lanmaya, is also a former PMAN Governor and the Chief Executive Officer of Olowo Recordz. His appointment follows the successful hosting of the Rivers State NDC Campaign Song Challenge, an event that attracted prominent personalities, including the Rivers State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs. During the programme, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs rewarded finalists of the competition with cash prizes worth millions of naira, reaffirming his commitment to support and encourage the creative industry in Rivers State.  Rivers people, his fans, friends and stakeholders are sending congratulatory messages to Gbenga Olowo on his new appointment, describing it as a well-deserved recognition ...
Continue Reading »

TINUBU TREK TO THE OFFICE, HARDLY USES CONVOY, HASN'T LEFT NIGERIA IN THREE MONTHS - NRS CHAIRMAN, ZACCH ADEDEJI

Image
The Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, has defended President Bola Tinubu against criticism over the cost of governance, insisting that the President does not live a lavish lifestyle as alleged by some Nigerians. Adedeji spoke during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics after host Seun Okinbaloye questioned whether he was not concerned about the perception that government officials “live large and in luxury” while many Nigerians face pov£rty. Responding, Adedeji said Tinubu’s personal lifestyle does not reflect the image of excessive spending often associated with government. “Mr. President goes from home to office on foot, not even driving. I don’t know except he’s going to the airport, so I don’t know where you see the convoy. In the last three months, he has not even left the shore of this country, walking trekking from work to If you go there now, you will still see him reviewing one document or the other,” he said. He further...
Continue Reading »

APOLOGISE TO CHIEF LESI MAOL OR FACE LEGAL ACTION - OGONI YOUTH LEADER TELLS GANI TOPBA OVER REMARKS ON LESI MAOL

Image
The National Secretary General of the Ogoni Youth Coalition Movement (OYCM) Worldwide, Hon. Korne Ngbor, has called on leaders and people of Ogoniland to disregard what he described as “frivolous, unfounded and attention-seeking allegations” allegedly made against Chief Lesi Maol by Chief Gani Topba. Ngbor, who described himself as an illustrious son of Ogoniland and spokesperson of the Ogoni Youth Council and Stakeholders, made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. He alleged that Gani Topba had over time made controversial statements capable of generating unnecessary public attention, urging Ogoni leaders and members of the public to give such allegations serious consideration only when supported by credible facts and evidence. The youth leader also demanded an unreserved public apology and written undertaking from Topba over what he described as defamatory or reckless statements against Chief Lesi Maol. According to him, failure to receive the d...
Continue Reading »