Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Command in Lagos State have intercepted a consignment containing over 1,620 live parrots allegedly being smuggled for illegal export to Kuwait.
The birds, classified as endangered under international wildlife protection conventions, were discovered during routine cargo checks by customs officials at the airport’s outbound section.
Confirming the operation, a senior customs officer at the MMIA Command, who requested anonymity due to ongoing investigations, told OndoPress:
“This is one of the largest seizures of live birds in recent times. The parrots were concealed in small cages, with no export permit or proper documentation. This clearly violates Nigeria’s wildlife export regulations.”
The illegal consignment was flagged after intelligence sharing between customs and wildlife protection agencies. Sources say the birds—most of them African grey parrots, prized for their intelligence and speaking abilities—were likely headed for the exotic pet trade market in the Middle East.
Reacting to the development, a spokesperson for the Nigeria Customs Service said the agency remains committed to curbing wildlife trafficking and will not hesitate to prosecute those involved.
“We are sending a strong signal to traffickers. Nigeria will not be used as a transit point for illegal wildlife trade,” the spokesperson said.
Wildlife experts warn that the illicit trade in parrots contributes to a drastic decline in their population and threatens biodiversity. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the unlicensed international trade of such species.
The birds are currently under the care of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service and Wildlife Conservation Authorities, pending further investigation.
No suspects have been arrested as of the time of reporting, but customs authorities say investigations are ongoing to apprehend those behind the trafficking ring.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
