Customs intercept live parrots, hawk worth N6 million

The Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has successfully intercepted live endangered species, including African Grey Parrots, Green Parrots, and a hawk, with a combined estimated value of approximately N6,859,832. Customs Area Controller Comptroller Timi Bomodi disclosed this information on Wednesday, attributing the seizure to credible intelligence.

These animals were apprehended at the Gbaji checkpoint while en route to Benin Republic. According to Bomodi, the interception occurred at around 4 am today. The Customs officers acted upon intelligence indicating that these endangered species were being transported in a luxurious bus from Kaduna to Lagos, with the intention to smuggle them out of the country for sale.

Bomodi emphasized that this trade constitutes an illegal activity involving endangered species, which are highly sought after abroad. There are individuals willing to take significant risks to smuggle these birds.

He reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s dedication to eradicating illicit trade within the country. Additionally, Bomodi mentioned that two suspects have been apprehended in connection with the seizure. He underlined that the Nigeria Customs Service, as a signatory to the convention on illicit trade in endangered species, has a responsibility to prevent such trades and is determined to prevent the circulation of such goods.

“We already have two suspects in our custody, and the standard procedure for handling seizures of this nature, with particular attention to the treatment of these suspects, is already in place,” he emphasized.

The confiscated animals have been handed over to the Controller of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services, Sanusi Magashi. The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services will provide temporary care and nurture for the animals before releasing them into a national park.”