The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, on Monday confirmed seizure of some endangered species, including a cub and two patas monkeys, at Gbaji, on the Badagry-Seme Road, that were about to be smuggled to the Benin Republic.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, Isah Sulaiman, who confirmed the development through a statement issued on Monday, said the animals were intercepted on Sunday.
According to Sulaiman, the interception demonstrates the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting the nation’s biodiversity and upholding Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
“Operatives of the Command, on Sunday, 16 November 2025, at about 02:19 hrs, intercepted a blue Mazda vehicle with registration number MUS 743 HA during a stop-and-search operation at Gbaji, along the Badagry–Seme Expressway. Upon inspection, the operatives discovered one cub and two patas monkeys being transported in the vehicle in clear violation of national and international wildlife protection laws,” Sulaiman explained.
According to the service image-maker, two suspects, Mr. Mathew Kofi, a Beninese, and Mr. Nasiru Usman Gwandu, a Nigerian, claimed ownership of the animals and confessed that they had purchased them in Kano with the intention of conveying them to the Benin Republic.
“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 male suspects were detained for further investigation to ascertain the level of their involvement in wildlife trafficking,” he said.
Sulaiman , who stated that for proper care, safety, and expert handling, the animals were formally handed over to the Greenfingers Wildlife Initiative, also highlighted that the handover was carried out by the Customs Area Controller in charge of the command, Wale Adenuga.
Represented at the handing over by a Deputy Comptroller in charge of administration at the command, A.Y. Mohammed, the CAC reaffirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to enforcing all laws relating to wildlife protection, environmental conservation, and border security.
Adenuga reiterated the command’s resolve to continue working with relevant agencies to decisively curtail illegal trade in endangered species.
