On March 23, 2025, a critical wildlife crime operation unfolded in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, a known hub for organized crime and wildlife trafficking. With assistance from Focused Conservation, the Nigeria Special Wildlife Office (NSWO), supported by the Nigeria Customs Police, executed Operation Willow - an intelligence-driven sting to dismantle a key trafficking network supplying pangolin scales. The NSWO acted on intelligence indicating that a trafficker in the region was actively supplying pangolin scales for the illegal wildlife trade. Undercover officers engaged with the suspect in an effort to purchase illicit scales. Aware of the risks, the traffickers remained highly cautious, changing meeting locations multiple times to avoid detection. Despite these efforts, the team successfully arrested two traffickers and seized 33.5 kg of pangolin scales. The seizure in Operation Willow highlights the ongoing crisis facing pangolins, which remain the most trafficked mammal in the world. Research indicates that at least two pangolins are killed for every kilogram of scales seized. This means that in this single operation, an estimated 67 pangolins were slaughtered for their scales. Since the inception of Focused Conservation in 2018, the organization has played a pivotal role in supporting wildlife crime units across Africa. These efforts have led to the seizure of nearly 3,600 kg of pangolin scales - equivalent to the killing of at least 7,200 pangolins. Pangolins are targeted for their scales, which are falsely believed to have medicinal properties in some cultures. Despite global protection on pangolins under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), trafficking networks continue to exploit these animals at alarming rates. The success of Operation Willow underscores the importance of strategic law enforcement interventions, intelligence-driven operations, and international collaboration in dismantling wildlife crime networks. The NSWO's ongoing efforts, backed by the mentorship and support of Focused Conservation, demonstrate the impact of dedicated wildlife crime units in the fight against poaching and illegal trade.