Lagos Airport Customs seizes 3,765kg pangolin scales

The Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Mohammed Airport Command, Lagos, has seized seizure 3,765kg pangolin scales.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller MT Awe, disclosed this   on Friday, informing that his officers in collaboration with the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) arrested five suspects in connection with the seizure in Lekki, Lagos, on Tuesday, April 2, 2025.

According to Awe, “On the 2nd of April, 2025 the Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Mohammed Area Command under the leadership of Comptroller MT AWE, with the support of the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), conducted 2 major operations that resulted in the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of 3,765kg of pangolin scales in the Lekki area of Lagos.

“This operation followed a recent bust of a major trafficking network in Nigeria that resulted in the arrest of a Chinese national Zheng Chao Hong, also known as Zheng Gao Peng, in February 2025 by the joint efforts of the Customs Police Unit and WJC.

“This seizure of 3,765kg of pangolin scales marks the first major global seizure of its kind in 2025, highlighting both the persistent threat to pangolin species and the heightened vigilance of the NCS in dismantling these criminal networks.

“Additionally, it raises the total amount of pangolin scales seized through the joint efforts of the NCS and WJC to over 25 tons since the start of the collaboration in 2021.”

The Controller reaffirmed the commitment of the Service to fighting wildlife crimes, expressed his appreciation for the strategic partnership with Wildlife Justice Commission and also warned those who persist in the nefarious activities to desist.