•The rescued gorilla
The Nigeria Customs Service has arrested a suspected wildlife trafficker and rescued a captive baby gorilla during a raid in Kofar Mata, Kano State, in what it described as a major breakthrough against an illegal primate trafficking network.
The operation, conducted on July 7 by the NCS Special Wildlife Office of the Customs Intelligence Unit alongside Focused Conservation, the Customs Police Unit and officers of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance, according to a statement shared by the Service on its social media platforms today.
Quoting the Officer-in-Charge of the NCS Special Wildlife Office, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Anuhu Mani, the statement said the “rescued infant gorilla had been transferred to veterinary care and is receiving specialised medical attention and rehabilitation.”
Mani said the operation targeted syndicates involved in the illicit trade and supply of protected primates within the Kano axis, adding that the success of the raid demonstrated the value of intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with conservation partners, reports The PUNCH.
“Investigations are actively ongoing as we follow all actionable leads generated from this operation,” he said.
The Customs officer, however, said the Service would not disclose the identity of the suspect or other operational details while investigations continue.
“To preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation and ensure that fleeing members of the trafficking network do not evade justice, the NCS is withholding further operational details, including the identity of the suspect,” Mani stated.
He reiterated the Service’s zero-tolerance policy against wildlife trafficking, saying the NCS remained committed to enforcing endangered species laws and protecting Nigeria’s natural heritage.
