Wildlife trafficking: Customs rescue lion cub, 2 monkeys destined for export

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - The Seme Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCD) has foiled a wildlife trafficking attempt, rescuing a lion cub and two patas monkeys.

The seizure was made at Gbaji, along the Badagry-Seme road in Lagos State. 

The endangered species were concealed in a vehicle and were intended for illegal export.

The driver and one other suspect were arrested and are currently in custody.

Those arrested were identified as, Mr. Mathew Kofi, a Beninese national, and Mr. Nasiru Usman Gwandu, a Nigerian.

They claimed that they were the owners of the animals and allegedly confessed that they had purchased them in Kano with the intention of conveying them to the Benin Republic.

The Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, confirmed the rescue operations, saying the move is part of the Command’s determination to demonstrate unwavering commitment to protecting the nation’s biodiversity and to uphold Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Comptroller Adenuga disclosed that operatives of the Command, on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at about 2.19am, intercepted a blue Mazda vehicle with registration number MUS 743 HA during a stop-and-search operation at Gbaji, along the Badagry–Seme Expressway.

He revealed that upon inspection, the operatives discovered One Lion Cub and two Patas Monkeys being transported in the vehicle in clear violation of national and international wildlife protection laws.

“In line with Nigeria’s status as a signatory to CITES and consistent with global standards for wildlife protection, the endangered species were immediately confiscated and brought to the Command for documentation, while the Two (2) male suspects were detained for further investigation to ascertain the level of their involvement in wildlife trafficking.

“For proper care, safety and expert handling, the endangered species were formally handed over on Sunday, November 16, 2025, to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative. The handover was carried out by Deputy Comptroller AY Mohammed (DC Administration) on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga,” he said.