The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has disrupted an international wildlife trafficking operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, rescuing two live lion cubs allegedly being smuggled out of Nigeria.
Three suspects, including the alleged owner of the animals, the driver of the vehicle used in the operation and a Customs clearing agent, were arrested during the intelligence-led operation carried out on August 4, 2026.
The operation was conducted by the Special Wildlife Office (SWO) of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), in collaboration with the FCT CIU, Customs Police Unit, FCT Command and conservation partner, Focused Conservation.
Anuhu Mani, officer-in-charge of the Special Wildlife Office, disclosed the development in a statement issued on August 10, saying the suspects were allegedly moving the cubs from Kano through Abuja, with Congo-Brazzaville as their intended destination.
According to him, Customs operatives, acting on actionable intelligence, mounted surveillance around the airport’s Cargo Terminal and identified a black SUV suspected to be connected with the movement of the animals.
