The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ says it has apprehended a suspect, Chinese national with 329 sacks of Pangolin’s plates valued at N1.73 billion.
The Area Controller of the Unit, Muhammed Uba, told newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday that the suspect was about exporting the horny plates to China when he was arrested.
Uba said a team of Customs’ operatives led by Assistant Comptroller Mutalib Sule intercepted the endangered species’ plates on Monday at No 64, Opening Road, Off Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos.
According to him, pangolin and elephant tusks are wildlife animals classified as endangered species, as trading in such products are prohibited internationally.
“Such goods fall under Schedule 6 of Common External Tariffs Item 7, absolutely prohibited for export.
“It is globally protected by World Customs Administration in each country,’’ the controller said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that pangolin is a toothless mammal that is covered with large overlapping horny plates.
It is used in curing stomach, liver diseases, and breast and cervix cancer.
The mammal has a pointed head and a long broad tail, and can curl into an amoured ball when threatened by a predator.
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The command had in February 28, intercepted more than 55 sacks of pangolin plates and 218 pieces of elephant tusks and handed them to the Nigeria Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
Uba said that the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES 1973) had mandated the Customs to save the mammal from extinction.
Uba said that the World Pangolin Day was set aside globally to educate people to assist in spreading awareness about one of the world’s most vulnerable but least known specie.
According to him, Pangolin Day is marked on February 17 every year.
Uba said that the seizure and the suspect would be handed over to NESREA for further investigation.
He commended the effort of the officers of the command for their resilience and dedication to duty.
The controller urged smugglers to desist from the criminal act and engage in legitimate businesses as the Federal Government had provided a level-playing field for businesses to flourish.
Speaking to newsmen, the Chinese national said he had been trading in Nigeria since 2015 on China candles, power bank and lighters.
“Some business people approached me few months ago that China market needed pangolin which they used in producing medicines.
“When I went to China, I found that the Chinese use it to produce medicines to cure various diseases.
“I applied for permit in Nigeria but I was not able to get the permit but a Nigerian got the permit for me. All the documents are in my email address.
“I bought the pangolin plates and put them in my warehouse because I thought I was operating with legal documents,’’ he said.
He said he usually goes to Cameroon to get the pangolin plates for export. (NAN)
