By Asuquo Nuwak
The Seme Customs command of the Nigeria Customs Service, has intercepted 62 African parrot birds, one hawk classified as endangered species.
The new Customs Area Controller of Seme Customs Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Timinadi Bomodi, disclosed this at his maiden press conference at Seme border.
Comptroller Bomodi, who said the 63 African birds were being smuggled out of the country, also 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 while adding that the birds
are a rare species that could easily be sold for over five times their value if smuggled out of Nigeria.
He recalled that 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.
He said upon the
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. It was consequently observed that six (6) of these birds have died, due to the trauma of transporting them in this condition.
Comptroller Timinadi Bomodi, who disclosed that two suspects were arrested in connection with the seized items, also 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
According to the Seme Customs Boss, “the seized African birds were handed over to Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) Seme command, while he further said that the 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.
In conclusion, the Controller of NAQS , Seme command, Sanusi Magashi, who received the seized African birds, commended the Seme Customs command for the seizure, and extolled the management of NCS for its commitment to inter-agency collaboration.