Customs Impounds Pangolin Scales, Lion Bones Worth N952m

The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed that it intercepted an export container concealed with 162 sacks of pangolin scales worth N952m.

Showcasing the seizures, yesterday at Apapa port, the Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Abba-Kura, said the seizure was made based on credible intelligence.

He said one person was arrested for his alleged involvement in the illegal export of the scales of an endangered animal species.

Abba-Kura explained that the 57 sacks of pangolin scales which weigh about 8,800kg and 57 others were mixed with parts of other endangered animal species of various sizes.

He listed the animals to include lion bones, ivory/animal horns and others destined for Haiphong in Vietnam.

Abba-Kura said upon 100 per cent physical examination, it was found to contain pangolin along with other endangered species, adding that the total weight of the items stood at 854,719 tons and valued at N952 million.

Meanwhile the Kwara Command said it generated N9.3bn in 18 months and remitted it into the federation account.

The Customs Area Controller, Hussaini Ahmed, said the Command generated N6.9bn of the amount between January and December 2020, representing 86 per cent of the annual target. It was higher than the N2.4bn the Command generated in 2019.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, EndSARS protests and the partial border closure affected the revenue target.

Ahmed also said the anti-smuggling operations recorded 84 seizures with the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N345 million as against the same period in 2019 with 14 seizures worth N42.6m DPV.

He said the seizures include 3,551 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 51 used vehicles of various make, 3,543kg of marijuana, 225 kegs of vegetable oil and 30 jerry cans of petrol.