Nigeria Customs Intercepts Hyenas, Porcupine, and Protected Birds in Borno and Yobe

Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted two hyenas, a porcupine, and 24 protected birds in Borno State and Yobe State. The seizure comes as enforcement continues ahead of a new wildlife protection law passed in 2025 but still awaiting presidential assent.

Nigeria’s Customs Service has reported the interception of two hyenas, a porcupine, and 24 protected birds in the northern states of Borno State and Yobe State. The seizure represents the sixth major wildlife interception recorded since the passage of a new wildlife protection law in October 2025, which is still awaiting presidential assent before it can come into effect.
According to customs officials, the operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal wildlife trafficking, particularly in regions where cross-border smuggling activities are more prevalent. The intercepted animals were reportedly being transported in violation of existing conservation rules, reflecting the continued pressure on wildlife populations despite increased enforcement actions.
The proposed legislation, which has already been approved by both chambers of Nigeria’s National Assembly, is designed to significantly strengthen the country’s wildlife protection framework. It aims to increase penalties for wildlife crimes, expand the list of species classified as endangered, and bring national laws in line with international conservation agreements. Lawmakers involved in drafting the bill noted that revisions were made after identifying gaps in earlier versions, including cases where some globally endangered species were not formally recognized under Nigerian law.
One of the lawmakers, Terseer Ugbor, explained that corrections had been made to ensure that the law fully reflects global conservation standards and provides stronger legal backing for enforcement agencies. He also confirmed that the revised version of the bill is now ready for presidential approval.
Conservation advocates have continued to call for swift action, emphasizing the importance of the legislation in strengthening the fight against wildlife trafficking. Linus Unah, West Africa director at Wild Africa, stated that signing the law would significantly empower investigators, prosecutors, and the judiciary, making it easier to prosecute offenders and deter illegal trade in wildlife products.
Since the bill’s passage in October, Nigeria Customs has recorded several related seizures across the country, including elephant ivory in Abuja, live pangolins in northern and southwestern states, a lion cub and monkeys near the Benin border, and other wildlife intercepted in various locations. These incidents underscore the scale of illegal wildlife trafficking networks operating within and through Nigeria.
Customs spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada welcomed the proposed legal reforms, noting that stronger legislation would greatly enhance enforcement capacity and improve coordination among relevant agencies. He emphasized that updated laws are essential for tackling the growing sophistication of wildlife crime networks.
Overall, authorities and conservation groups agree that while enforcement efforts are increasing, the effectiveness of the fight against wildlife trafficking will depend heavily on the swift signing and implementation of the new wildlife protection law, which is expected to provide a stronger legal foundation for conservation efforts across the country.