Nigeria’s Customs Service (NCS) has seized over 1,600 birds in what authorities are calling the country’s largest wildlife trafficking bust to date. The birds, including ring-necked parrots and green- and yellow-fronted canaries, were intercepted at Lagos International Airport on July 31, bound for Kuwait. The confiscation underscores Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with illegal wildlife trade.
NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada confirmed the historic seizure in a statement on Tuesday, describing it as the “largest” of its kind by number. While the birds are not rare, their transport was illegal as the shipment lacked the necessary permits and documentation. Despite their commonality, these birds still require legal paperwork for export.
“The shipment didn’t have the required documentation,” said Maiwada, adding that the routine checks conducted by customs led to the discovery. He emphasized that an investigation is underway to identify and prosecute those behind the illegal operation.
The birds have been handed over to the National Parks Service, which will rehabilitate them before they are released into the wild. Authorities waited to announce the seizure publicly to avoid jeopardizing the investigation, with Maiwada revealing that the disclosure occurred on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after the interception.
Nigeria remains a key player in the global wildlife trafficking network, with its porous borders, corruption, and inadequate enforcement mechanisms making it a prime transit point for illicit wildlife products, including ivory, pangolin scales, and exotic birds. Most trafficked wildlife from Nigeria ends up in Asia, according to Maiwada.
As a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Nigeria has pledged to curb the illegal trade of endangered species. However, despite this commitment, the country remains a significant hub for the illegal wildlife trade, which is estimated to generate between $7 billion and $23 billion annually, according to conservation group BirdLife International.
The trade of birds, especially songbirds like canaries, has been on the rise due to their high demand in global markets, where they are prized for singing competitions. Rare parrots, like the ones seized in this bust, can fetch up to $1,000 or more on the black market.
The NCS’s latest success comes amid increasing pressure on governments worldwide to address the rising tide of illegal wildlife trafficking. Despite Nigeria’s continued efforts to fight wildlife crime, experts believe stronger enforcement and international cooperation are essential to stem the flow of illegal wildlife products across its borders.