The Nigerian Customs Service, has apprehended a suspected wild life trafficker with 346 rare bird heads and other animal specimens in Cross River.
Gabriel Ogbonna, the Area Controller, Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone and Akwa Ibom Area Command, made the disclosure on Monday in Calabar.
Ogbonna said that the suspect, Bello Abubakar was apprehended at the Mfun/Ekok Joint Border Station of the command on March 12.
The controller who paraded the suspect before newsmen, said that he was caught while attempting to enter Nigeria from Cameroon.
He said that the rare bird heads found in Abubakar’s possession violated international laws as well as the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which prohibited unpermitted trade in endangered species.
“On March 12, our personnel on routine baggage inspection at the Mfun/Ekok Joint Border Station, intercepted a traveller entering Nigeria from Cameroon.
“The individual was found in possession of 213 parrot heads, 29 packs of parrot feathers, 128 heads of African hornbill, and five eagle heads.
“Also in his possession were, one pack of eagle feathers, two heads, four hands, and four legs of chimpanzee,” he said.
Ogbonna further said that Abubakar’s action violated the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which Nigeria was a signatory to.
He said that illegal wildlife trade not only undermined Nigeria’s biodiversity but ‘fueled crime, economic instability, and public insecurity’
He expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, for providing the leadership and institutional support needed for the service to perform.
The customs official reiterated the commitment of the service to tackling smuggling and ensuring full enforcement of customs laws.
Speaking to newsmen, the suspect said that he bought the bird heads and other animal specimens in an open market in Cameroon.
Abubakar said that his intension was to sell the items to those who needed them in Nigeria.
