Customs Foils Attempt to Smuggle Endangered Species into Nigeria at Calabar Border
By Lucy Nyambi
Officers and Men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, have intercepted a large consignment of illegal wildlife products at Calabar’s Mfum/Ekok Joint Border Station.
Speaking at a press briefing in Calabar on Monday, 24 March 2025, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Chukwudi Ogbonna, disclosed that the items were intercepted from a traveller entering Nigeria from Cameroon during a routine baggage inspection at the border station on Wednesday, 12 March 2025.
“The individual was found in possession of 213 parrot heads, 29 packs of parrot feathers,128 African hornbill heads, 5 eagle heads, 1 pack of eagle feathers, 2 chimpanzee heads, 4 hands, and 4 legs. The suspect was arrested and detained, pending further investigation”, the CAC stated.
Comptroller Ogbonna emphasised the severity of the crime, citing violations of international agreements such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the NCSA 2023.
“This illegal wildlife trade not only undermines our biodiversity but also fuels transnational crime, threatening economic stability and public safety. The Nigeria Customs Service remains resolute in enforcing compliance with all applicable laws to protect our natural heritage”, he affirmed.
He further assured the public that under his leadership, the Command would continue its crackdown on smuggling and called on citizens to support their efforts by reporting illicit activities.
The Customs Area Controller also expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership, as well as the Cross River State Government, security agencies, and officers of the command for their collaborative efforts in tackling wildlife trafficking.
