– Nigeria Customs intercepts wildlife smuggling
– Endangered species protection in Cross River
– Efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade in Nigeria
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intercepted a significant haul of endangered animal parts at the Mfum/Ekok border in Cross River State, preventing their illegal entry from Cameroon. The confiscated items included 213 parrot skulls, 29 packs of parrot feathers, six eagle skulls, one pack of eagle feathers, 128 African hornbill skulls, two gorilla skulls, and four gorilla hands and feet.
The suspect, a Nigerian national from Oyo State, was apprehended on March 12 and remains in custody pending further investigations. Customs officials have reiterated their commitment to combating illegal wildlife trade through enhanced border surveillance and enforcement.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) commended the swift action of the NCS. WCS Country Director, Andrew Dunn, emphasized the critical role of Customs in curbing wildlife trafficking, stating that each confiscated item represents a tragic loss for nature. He highlighted the importance of vigilance and collaboration in protecting endangered species.
Since 2020, WCS has supported Nigeria’s anti-trafficking efforts by training over 100 Customs personnel and partnering with the Elephant Protection Initiative to establish ten secure storage facilities for seized wildlife products. WCS has been actively working to protect Nigeria’s biodiversity, particularly in Bauchi and Cross River States, since 2001.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to wildlife trafficking, reinforcing the collective effort to safeguard Nigeria’s rich natural heritage.
