In an unwavering commitment to protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity and to uphold Nigeria’s obligations to wildlife conservation and international treaties, operatives of the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 1 Lion Cub and Two 2 Patas Monkeys while arresting two suspects.
The two individuals according to the statement are Mr. Mathew Kofi, a Beninese national, and Mr. Nasiru Usman Gwandu, a Nigerian, who claimed ownership of the animals and admitted to purchasing them in Kano with the intent to smuggle them into the Republic of Benin.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Isah Sulaiman who disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen, said the animals were intercepted on Sunday, 16 November, 2025, at about 0219hrs, in a blue Mazda vehicle with registration number MUS 743 HA during a stop-and-search operation at Gbaji, along the Badagry–Seme Expressway
For proper care and expert handling, the endangered animals were formally handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative later that same day.
The handover was conducted by Deputy Comptroller AY Mohammed (DC Administration) on behalf of the Customs Area Controller of the command , Comptroller Wale Adenuga.
Comptroller Adenuga reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering dedication to enforcing environmental protection laws and safeguarding Nigeria’s biodiversity.
"We will continue to work with relevant agencies to ensure that the illegal trade in endangered species is decisively curtailed,” he stated.
He emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in combating the illegal trade in endangered species and reiterated the Command’s resolve to ensure strict compliance with all relevant national and international regulations.
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