The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested a suspected wildlife trafficker and rescued a captive baby gorilla during a raid in Kofar Mata, Kano State, in what it described as a major breakthrough against an illegal primate trafficking network.

The operation, conducted on July 7 by the NCS Special Wildlife Office of the Customs Intelligence Unit, alongside Focused Conservation, the Customs Police Unit and officers of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance, according to a statement shared by the Service on its social media platforms on Thursday.

According to the Officer-in-Charge of the NCS Special Wildlife Office, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Anuhu Mani, “the rescued infant gorilla had been transferred to veterinary care and is receiving specialised medical attention and rehabilitation.”

Mani said the operation targeted syndicates involved in the illicit trade and supply of protected primates within the Kano axis, adding that the success of the raid demonstrated the value of intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with conservation partners.

“Investigations are actively ongoing as we follow all actionable leads generated from this operation,” he said.

The Customs officer, however, said the identity of the suspect or other operational details will not be disclosed while investigations are ongoing.

He reiterated the NCS’s zero-tolerance policy against wildlife trafficking, saying the NCS remained committed to enforcing endangered species laws and protecting Nigeria’s natural heritage.

The Jigawa State Police Command has recorded major operational breakthroughs with the arrest of suspected vandals, thieves and a cattle rustler in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.

The spokesman of the Command, SP Shisu Lawan Adam, disclosed this in a statement issued to DAILY POST on Thursday.

The Command said the operations, carried out on July 8, led to the recovery of items including electric cable wires, a PlayStation 5 (PS5) game console, two plasma television sets and three suspected stolen cows.

He said operatives arrested three suspects in connection with the vandalism of electric cable wires believed to have been removed from behind a hotel in Dutse metropolis.

The suspects were identified as Aminu Mohammed, 17, of Fagoji Quarters; Abdullahi Mustapha, 17, of Zai Quarters; and Sani Umar, 18, of Shagari Quarters, all in Dutse Local Government Area.

The police said investigations revealed that some of the suspects were receivers of the stolen property.

In a separate operation, police operatives attached to the Dutse Division arrested a 23-year-old suspect, Suleiman Muhammad of Mariri Quarters, Kano State, for allegedly possessing suspected stolen items, including a PlayStation 5 game console and two plasma television sets valued at about N2.5 million.

The police said the rightful owners of the recovered items were traced, identified and the property released to them on bond, while the suspect would be charged in court after investigations.

The command also announced the arrest of a suspected cattle rustler by operatives of the Guri Division working alongside local vigilantes.

The suspect was found with three suspected stolen cows concealed in his compound.

The recovered animals have since been handed over to their rightful owner, while investigations are continuing to identify and arrest other members of the suspected cattle-rustling syndicate.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Haruna A Yahaya, commended the officers involved in the operations for their professionalism and dedication, while appreciating members of the public for providing credible information that contributed to the successful arrests.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies by reporting suspicious persons and activities to the nearest police formation.

Men of the Oyo State Police Command have arrested no fewer than four suspects in connection with the recent civil unrest in some parts of Ibadan, the state capital.

The command noted that the suspects are still in police custody for necessary interrogation.

The command made the disclosure in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade.

The statement was made available to DAILY POST on Thursday.

DAILY POST reports that tension enveloped some parts of Ibadan on Wednesday following the alleged killing of a man identified as a Yoruba man.

It was learnt that the man was allegedly killed during a confrontation with some people believed to be Hausa men in the Ojoo area.

The incident led to civil unrest in some parts of Ibadan on Wednesday.

DAILY POST gathered that another person also died as a result of the civil unrest on Wednesday.

But Ayanlade, in his reaction, noted that four suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident.

He noted that the suspects were arrested to unravel the circumstances that led to the incident.

He said that all four suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department of the command.

“Meanwhile, four suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the incident and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, where a comprehensive investigation has commenced to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attempted robbery, the mob action, the ensuing public disturbance, and all related acts of criminality.”