Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service in the Adamawa and Taraba Area Command have intercepted a major consignment of 111 live African grey parrots, along with illicit drugs and contraband goods valued at more than N67 million.
The operation marks a significant step in the fight against wildlife trafficking and illegal trade in the region.
According to punchng.com, the Area Comptroller, Garba Bashir, made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Yola.
Bashir said that within three weeks, officers recorded 19 seizures valued at N67,785,358 in different locations.
According to him, the locations are Mubi-Sahua, Goshindan-Farang, Belel, Girei-Woro Bokki, Gella, Fufore-Gurin, Damare Waterside, Apawa-Numan road, and the Savannah-Numan axis.
The seized items include; 13,200 litres of Premium Motor Spirit and 1,925 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, packed in 528 and 77 jerry cans respectively.
“11 sacks of second-hand clothing, Tramadol capsules; 5,710 (100mg), 990 (50mg); and 185 packets of Benzhexol tablets, 111 live African grey parrots and nine dead ones,” he said.
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The comptroller said that the illicit drugs were intercepted from a suspect along the Apawa-Numan road on June 19.
He noted that the substances were concealed in charcoal sacks and recovered following credible intelligence.
“These drugs, when abused by youths will induce them to perpetrate their nefarious activities.
“Such drugs can be inimical to the health of the citizens and undermining security of the nation,” he said.
On the wildlife seizure, Bashir said a suspected trafficker was caught on June 27 while attempting to smuggle the parrots from Cameroon through the Gurin border.
Bashir said the parrots were stuffed in six wooden boxes, leading to the death of nine resulting from poor handling.
“The interception aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
“Poaching methods are often brutal and a high percentage of captured birds die even before reaching export sites.
“The species are highly trafficked due to its high demand as intelligent and mimicking pet,” he said.
The comptroller said that the seized drugs and suspects would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, while the parrots would be transferred to the World Parrot Trust for rehabilitation.
He said that 101 raw donkey skins, earlier seized in May, would be destroyed under NCS regulations.
He said the seized petroleum products would also be auctioned immediately to avoid fire hazards, with proceeds paid into the Federation Account.
The customs boss commended the leadership of the Comptroller General, Bashir Adeniyi, for providing an enabling environment and support from sister security agencies.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to curbing smuggling, protecting Nigeria’s borders, and safeguarding public health and the economy.
