WildLife Smuggling: Nigeria Customs Nabs Offenders

nairamatter October 02, 2023

Here are the news summary on Nigeria Customs activities against wildlife smuggling:

1. Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, arrests wildlife-smuggling kingpin Mr. Felix Maiva.

2. Maiva had been on the run since 2021 and is a shipping agent for the BERETE organized crime group involved in wildlife-trafficking offenses.

3. The arrest follows an investigation and surveillance that revealed a 1 X 20 feet container with 4,752kg of elephant ivory, 5,239kg of pangolin scales, 5kg of rhinoceros horns, and lion skeletons.

4. The illegal wildlife products were intended for export to Haiphong, Vietnam, in January 2021, through the Apapa sea port, Lagos-Nigeria.

5. The earlier wildlife seizure in Apapa led to the conviction of a clearing agent, Mr. Felix Olame, in June 2023 by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

6. Ag. Comptroller Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Hussein K Ejibunu, commends officers for their tact, intelligence, and consistency in pursuing the suspect.

7. The breakthrough is considered a morale booster for officers involved in similar cases and suspects.

8. Maiva's arrest results from an intelligence-driven operation by the Nigeria Customs Service and the Wildlife Justice Commission to combat crimes against endangered species.