The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking after rescuing a baby gorilla and arresting a suspected wildlife trafficker during a coordinated operation in Kano State.
The operation, carried out on July 7 in the Kofar Mata area of Kano, was led by the NCS Special Wildlife Office under the Customs Intelligence Unit in collaboration with Focused Conservation, the Customs Police Unit, and officers of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command.
According to a statement shared by the Service on its official social media platforms on Thursday, the raid followed several weeks of intelligence gathering, surveillance, and coordinated investigations into an illegal primate trafficking network operating in the area.
Customs said the rescued baby gorilla was found in captivity and has been placed under the care of wildlife experts for proper medical evaluation and rehabilitation.
The Service described the arrest and rescue as a significant success in its ongoing campaign against wildlife crime, noting that the illegal trade in endangered species poses a serious threat to biodiversity, conservation efforts, and national security.
The suspect is currently in custody and is expected to face prosecution in accordance with Nigeria’s wildlife protection and conservation laws. Authorities also said investigations are continuing to identify and apprehend other members of the trafficking network.
The Nigeria Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to combating wildlife trafficking through intelligence-driven operations and stronger collaboration with conservation organisations and law enforcement agencies. It also urged members of the public to report suspicious wildlife trafficking activities to relevant authorities.
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