Nigeria, Oct. 8 -- The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted three live pangolins allegedly being smuggled through Ogun State, in the latest seizure highlighting the illegal trade of one of the world's most trafficked mammals.

The endangered animals were intercepted by officers of the Ogun I Area Command, Idiroko, at Abeokuta waterside following credible intelligence, according to the command.

It stated that the animals were found confined in wire-mesh cages and concealed inside sacks in what Customs described as an attempt to evade detection. It added that the suspected traffickers fled after sighting the Customs patrol team.

The spokesperson for the command, Chado Zakari, said the manner in which the animals were concealed showed t...