The Seme-Badagry Customs Command has intercepted several number of African parrot birds worth millions of naira
In a briefing today, the Area controller, Compt Timi Bomodi said the smuggling of the birds was against the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species of wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
On the 25th of September at about 0400hrs, Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command while on patrol along Seme – Badagry Expressway, acting on credible intelligence intercepted a luxurious bus enroute from Kaduna to Benin Republic.
Upon search of the bus, Fifty-One (51) live Green parrots, Five (5) live African Grey Parrots, Five (5) dead Green Parrots, One (1) dead African Grey Parrot, and One (1) live Hawk in iron nets and a Paper Box were discovered. Six (6) of these birds have died due to the trauma of transporting them in this condition. Two (2) suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure.
The said African Parrot Birds have a duty paid value (DPV) of Six Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Two Naira (N6,859,932) only. The Customs Area Controller, Compt. Timi Bomodi condemned this criminal act by some members of the society considering that the trade in endangered wildlife contravenes the Convention on International Trade On Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which is an International Agreement between Governments of which Nigeria is a signatory.
The Comptroller warned the perpetrators of this illegal trade to stay out of the Lagos – Abidjan corridor or they will continue to incur heavy losses if they so insist
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 f National Park Service will be informed of this seizure as it is their responsibility to rehabilitate and protect them from further harm.