The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, Lagos, said it has seized pangolin scales and lion bones worth N952 million.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Mohammed Abba-Kura, disclosed that the items were billed for export to Vietnam when they were seized.
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Speaking during a press briefing yesterday, Abba-Kura said the contrabands were in a 20-feet container with number CSLU 2362640, heading to Haiphong, Vietnam.
“On January 21, based on credible intelligence, Customs operatives at the export seat of Apapa command, successfully detected and arrested one unit of 20-feet container which was processed for export and falsely declared as a furniture component.
“Immediately the container was opened, logs were seen in front, and upon 100 per cent physical examination of the container, elephant tusks, and the pangolin scales were seen concealed by the logs,” he said.
He also stated that an agent had been arrested and detained after an unnamed lady was picked by operatives.
“Pangolins – scaly, shy and sensitive – are believed to be the world’s most trafficked nonhuman mammals accounting for as much as 20 per cent of all illegal wildlife trade.
“Their scales that are made of keratin (the material in fingernails) have no scientific proven curative properties but are in high demand for use in traditional Chinese medicine,’’ he added.
