Officials from the Nigeria Customs Service’s Seme Command apprehended two people in connection with an attempt to smuggle Africa parrots, hawks, and green parrots valued N6.89 million to Benin Republic.
The birds were discovered hiding in a fancy bus leaving Kaduna state on their way to Benin Republic.
The UN had prohibited trade in African grey parrots and placed them on a priority list of endangered species to prevent extinction.
While verifying the seizures to newsmen, Timi Bomodi, Customs Area Controller Seme Area Command, stated that the recovery was made on September 25, 2023 about 4 a.m. by officers and men of the Command on patrol along the Seme-Badagry Expressway. According to Bomodi, the officers intercepted a fancy bus en route from Kaduna to Benin Republic based on valid intelligence.
“Upon search of the bus, 51 live green parrots, five live African grey parrots, five dead green parrots, one dead African grey parrot, and one live hawk in iron nets and a paper box were discovered. Six of the birds died due to the trauma of transporting them in this condition. Two suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure. The said African parrot birds have a duty paid value (DPV) of N6,859,932 only” he said.
Bomodi denounced the conduct, claiming that trade in endangered species violated the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international pact to which Nigeria is a signatory. The comptroller cautioned unlawful traders to keep away from the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.
“In line with the dictates of the Nigeria Customs Service of promoting inter-agency collaboration and synergy, and considering the nature of the item, the seized parrot birds will be handed over to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) Seme Command. Officials of the National Park Service will be informed of this seizure as it is their responsibility to rehabilitate and protect them from further harm,” he said.
