In a groundbreaking operation on July 31 at Lagos International Airport, Nigeria's Customs Service (NCS) uncovered a large shipment of over 1,600 birds, described as the country's largest seizure of its kind. The birds, which included ring-necked parrots and green- and yellow-fronted canaries, were destined for Kuwait but were halted during routine checks due to improper documentation and permits. NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada confirmed that wildlife trafficking remains a persistent issue in Nigeria, fueled by porous borders, corruption, and inadequate law enforcement.
As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities are seeking to identify and prosecute those linked to the illegal shipment while ensuring the birds are transferred to the National Parks Service for rehabilitation ahead of their eventual re-release into the wild. Although the NCS chose to delay the public announcement of the seizure until this week to avoid impacting the investigation, the interception highlights Nigeria's position as a significant transit hub for wildlife trafficking, primarily targeting Asian markets.
Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) yet continues to grapple with rampant illegal wildlife trade, which reportedly generates between $7 billion and $23 billion annually worldwide, as per BirdLife International. Popular demand for songbirds, such as canaries, is reportedly due to singing competition trends, leading to substantial financial returns in the trafficking market, with rare parrot species often valued at over $1,000 each.
