The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday dragged three persons before Federal high court sitting in Kano for alleged trafficking in endangered species.

The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the service had intercepted a consignment of wildlife including Caracal wild cats, Chimpanzees, Baby Gorillas, Red-colored Patas Monkeys, Galagos (bush babies), Honey badger, Albino alligators, Rock fowls, Civet cat and Greater bustard wild birds.

Three male suspects trafficking the endangered species were arrested along the Kano/Daura Road following an intelligence-led operation. According to the service, the interception, which occurred on 25 August 2026, following intelligence.

Arraigning the three suspects Naseer Ahmad, Abba Abdullahi and Siraju Abdullahi before Justice M.M Shuaib, the procution counsel Barr. Smart Akande argued that the service filed two count charge against the defendants.

According to Akanda, the defendants violated Section 55(1)(i) of the NCS Act 2023 and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

While presenting the charges before the defendants, the court registrar read count one, “the accused Traffickers, Nassif Ahmad, Abba Abdullahi and Sirajo Abdullahi were said to have conspired among themselves to traffic the 47 Endangered Wildlife Species prohibited in the first schedule and committed under section 5(1) and punishable under section 5(1) under the act 2016”.

Similarly, under the count two charges, the registrar read “the suspects were accused of been in possession of a 7 wildlife endangered species prohibited under an endangered species control act of International trade regulations, punishable under section 7sub section 3 of the same act”.

Three defendants however pleaded non guilty to the two count charge read before them.

Subsequently upon, the prosecution counsel Akande sought for further date to open trial of the defendant. Akande had solicited expedite hearing of the matter to save the precious life of some of the wildlife who were stolen from their parents at tender age.

The lawyer to the defendants who did not opposed the plea of the prosecution however pleaded for bail applicant for his clients.

After hearing of both submissions, Justice MM Shuaib adjourned the trial to 7th October, 2026 for hearing of the mater and bail applicant for the defendants.

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has noted with dismay the increasing trend of possession, display, and trade in endangered species by various individuals on social media.

These activities are prohibited under extant environmental legislations particularly the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, and the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in Domestic and International Trade) Regulations.

The legislations, which enforce Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), ban poaching, trading, possessing, or displaying any specimen of wildlife or plant species listed under Appendices I, II, and III.

Species such as Elephants, Pangolins, Chimpanzees, Gorillas, and other endangered wildlife are particularly affected by this worrisome trend which undermines efforts by relevant authorities in curbing this illegal trade.