The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 397.5 Kilogramme of pangolin scales and arrested 8 suspects in connection with the seizure.
The Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomodi, said they were able to arrest the perpetrators in collaboration with Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC).
Three of the arrested suspects were identified as Vietnamese nationals.
He added that they were involved in the attempted trafficking of large amounts of pangolin scales and ivories through Nigeria.
“Preliminary investigation revealed these three Vietnamese nationals as high-ranking members of a major organised crime group.
“They are involved in the trafficking of ivory, pangolin scales, rhino horns and lion bones from Mozambique and South Africa through Nigeria to Vietnam.
“The three suspects were arrested while sourcing for pangolin scales in Nigeria, 397.5kg of which were found in their possession,” he said.
The public relations officer further said the Nigeria Customs Service, through an intelligence-led operation and collaboration of WJC, was able to confiscate 400 Kg of pangolin scales put up for sale on the illegal network.
He said the two organisations were able to identify other members of the criminal syndicate for arrest.