CUSTOMS INTERCEPT ILLEGAL EXPORT OF OVER 1,620 PROTECTED BIRDS AT LAGOS AIRPORT
Read Time:1 Minute, 21 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, has intercepted a shipment of over 1,620 protected birds, including Ringneck Parakeets (Parrots) and Canaries, bound for illegal export to Kuwait.
Comptroller Michael Awe, Area Controller of the command, confirmed the seizure in a statement issued Monday in Lagos. According to Awe, the birds were intercepted by vigilant Customs officers on July 31 at the airport’s control post.
“These live birds over 1,620 in number, including Ringneck Parakeets and Green and Yellow Fronted Canaries are protected species under international law,” he said.
The shipment, he noted, lacked the necessary documentation, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) permit, required for legal international trade in such wildlife.
“As Nigeria is a signatory to CITES, we are bound to ensure that the international trade in wild fauna and flora complies with regulations and does not endanger their survival,” Awe stated. “This cargo should have been accompanied by the required permits to prove the birds were legally sourced.”
Comptroller Awe emphasized the command’s commitment to preventing illegal shipments from passing through the airport, reaffirming the Customs Service’s dedication to upholding wildlife protection laws.
He also disclosed that the command would intensify its investigation to identify and prosecute those behind the attempted smuggling.
In line with inter-agency cooperation, Awe said the seized birds would be handed over to the National Parks Service for proper care and management.
The interception underscores the operational focus of Customs under the leadership of Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who also chairs the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0