The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has foiled an alleged attempt to traffic two live lion cubs through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with three suspects arrested in connection with the operation.
Key Highlights
- Customs intercepts lion cubs: The Nigeria Customs Service foiled an alleged attempt to traffic two live lion cubs through Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
- Three suspects arrested: The alleged owner of the animals, the SUV driver and a Customs clearing agent were arrested.
- Cub trafficking route: The lions were reportedly being transported from Kano through Abuja and were allegedly destined for Congo-Brazzaville.
- Hidden inside crates: Customs officers reportedly discovered the cubs inside crates concealed in the luggage compartment of a black SUV.
- Intelligence-led operation: The interception followed intelligence received by the Special Wildlife Office and other Customs units.
The animals were intercepted on August 4, 2026, following an intelligence-led operation conducted by the Special Wildlife Office of the Customs Intelligence Unit in collaboration with the FCT Customs Intelligence Unit, Customs Police Unit, FCT Command and conservation group, Focused Conservation.
According to a report by the Officer-in-Charge of the Special Wildlife Office, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Anuhu Mani, the cubs were allegedly being moved from Kano through Abuja and were reportedly destined for Congo-Brazzaville.
Mani said Customs operatives received intelligence about the suspected movement and deployed officers to the airport’s cargo terminal to monitor the situation.
During the operation, officers reportedly noticed a black SUV suspected to be connected to the movement of the animals.
The inspection took a different turn when a Customs intelligence officer reportedly heard sounds coming from the rear compartment of the vehicle.
A search of the luggage area subsequently revealed two lion cubs hidden inside crates.
Three people were arrested at the scene. They were identified as the alleged owner of the animals, the driver of the SUV and a Customs clearing agent suspected of facilitating the movement.
The suspects are currently being questioned as investigators work to determine the source of the animals and identify other individuals who may be connected to the alleged trafficking operation.
Mani said the interception demonstrated the Customs Service’s determination to prevent Nigeria from being used as a transit point for illegal wildlife trade.
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He warned that the agency would continue to work with relevant authorities and conservation organisations to disrupt wildlife trafficking networks.
“With fewer lions remaining in Nigeria’s wild, saving these cubs is not just an enforcement success, it is a critical conservation victory,” he said.
The Customs official explained that the attempted transportation of the lion cubs violated wildlife protection regulations at both the national and international levels.
He specifically cited the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Nigeria’s Endangered Species Act.
Following their rescue, the two cubs were transferred to the Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative for veterinary attention, rehabilitation and continued care.
The Customs Service said the operation highlighted the importance of intelligence gathering and cooperation between security agencies and conservation organisations in combating the illegal wildlife trade.
It added that protecting endangered species requires sustained enforcement efforts to prevent traffickers from exploiting Nigeria as a route for the movement of protected animals.
