Nigeria’s Customs Service (NCS) has announced on August 6 the country’s largest wildlife trafficking seizure to date, intercepting over 1,600 birds en route to Kuwait at Lagos International Airport.
The birds — comprising ring-necked parrots and green- and yellow-fronted canaries — were confiscated during a routine inspection on 31 July. According to NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada, the bust marks a milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against the illegal wildlife trade, which continues to thrive due to porous borders, weak enforcement, and systemic corruption.
The agency revealed that the shipment lacked the necessary documentation and permits required for transporting such species, even though they are not classified as rare. While the seizure occurred last month, authorities delayed the public announcement to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation. Officials confirmed that the birds will be handed over to the National Parks Service for rehabilitation and eventual release into the wild. Efforts are underway to identify and prosecute the traffickers behind the illicit cargo.
Despite being a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Nigeria remains a key transit hub for trafficked wildlife, particularly to Asia. Songbirds like canaries are prized globally for competitive singing events, while exotic parrots can sell for over $1,000 apiece. Conservation group BirdLife International estimates the global illegal wildlife trade generates between $7 billion and $23 billion annually, fuelling the demand that continues to threaten species biodiversity and regional ecological balance.