By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Officers of the Western Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have intercepted 36 live African Grey Parrots that are being smuggled to Ghana.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Odaudu Salefu, made this disclosure while briefing newsmen in his office.
Salefu, who noted that the seizure resulted from the Command’s vast intelligence network, added that the trading of the birds was driving the animal into extinction.
“My officers, while on patrol on the waterway between Abombo and T junction, intercepted a boat. They became so curious about this boat. Why should this boat be here at this time of the day, around 12 to 1 midnight? On getting closer, they heard the sound of birds.
“A minute search was conducted from the boat, and they discovered it contained live parrots, an African Grey Parrot, and you are aware that Nigeria is a signatory society.
“We cannot watch some illegal traders knowing fully well that any attack on this animal, you are endangering their species, which is going into extinction,” he said.
