… Arrests two suspects
Seme Customs Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has intercepted 62 African parrot birds, one Hawk classified as endangered species.
Making this known to newsmen at his maiden press conference at Seme border was the new Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Timi Bomodi.
Comptroller Bomodi stated that the 63 African birds were being smuggled out of the country.
Comptroller Bomodi expressed disapproval of this criminal act by certain members of society, stressing that the trade in endangered wildlife is contrary to the Convention on International Trade On Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an International Agreement which Nigeria is a signatory to.
He revealed that the duty paid value of the seized African birds (DPV) was N6,859,93 and added that the birds are rare species that could easily be sold for over five times their value if smuggled out of Nigeria.
According to him, “On the 25th of September (2023) 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”, Comptroller Bomodi narrated.
He disclosed that two suspects were arrested in connection with the seized items.
The Seme customs boss advised those involved in this illegal trade to steer clear of the Lagos-Abidjan corridor or they will continue to incur heavy losses if they insist.
The seized African birds were handed over to Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), Seme command.
Comptroller Bomodi further said that officials of the National Park Service will be informed of the seizure as it is their responsibility to rehabilitate and protect the birds from further harm.
Speaking after receiving the seized African birds, the Controller of NAQS, Seme Command, Sanusi Magashi commended the Seme Customs command for the seizure, even as he extolled the management of NCS for its commitment to inter-agency collaboration.
Photo: African parrots intercepted recently by the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Border Command along Lagos – Badagry Expressway.
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