Nigeria Impounds 117 Parrots Trafficked From Niger Republic

No fewer than 118 parrots trafficked from Niger Republic were recently impounded by Nigerian authorities.

The Conservator-General of the National Park Service, Ibrahim Goni, disclosed this to THE WHISTLER during an interview at the Abuja headquarters of the NPS.

Goni said the parrots impounded by the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service were in the process of being handed over to his agency.

He said 117 of the parrots were confiscated by customs officers in Katsina State, while the quarantine service seized one at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

One of the statutory responsibilities of the NPS  is to, “preserve, enhance, protect and manage vegetation and wild animals” as well as endangered species in the country.

According to Goni, the parrots were seized in line with Nigeria’s commitment to the guidelines of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

“As I’m talking to you, two weeks ago, a parrot was confiscated at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport. Remember I told you about the convention on international trade in endangered species of flora and fauna (plant and animals). The quarantine services impounded the parrot and handed it over to us.

“Also, the Customs Service in Katsina State recently impounded 117 parrots and our officers are currently there to try to bring back the parrots so that we can keep them here.

“From investigation, they were trafficked from Niger Republic, using Nigeria as a conduit. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) had once suspended Nigeria and we do not want this suspension to happen again because Mr. President has seriously warned that there should not be a repeat of such. That is why we are on our toes synergizing with other agencies at the borders to ensure that no illegal wildlife trafficking takes place across the country,” he said.

Goni said due to partnerships entered into by the NPS with other security and paramilitary agencies, there had been increased vigilance against the trafficking of wildlife and endangered species into and out of the country.

He Conservator-General noted that the Act establishing the NPS mandates it to among other things: Ensure that areas demarcated as National Parks are secured, including the plants and animals, so that the security provided will attract tourism, research, and other social activities.

The full interview would be published on Saturday.