Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) arrested a wildlife trafficker in Cross River State with 346 rare and exotic bird heads and other animal specimens.
The suspect was identified as Bello Abubakar, who was arrested by the Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Area and the Akwa Ibom Area when entering the country from Cameroon.
Speaking in Calabar on Monday, March 24, the Customs District Auditor General Gabriel Ogbonna revealed that Abubakar was arrested at the MFUN/EKOK United Border Station on March 12.
The suspect claims he purchased the items in an open market in Cameroon and intends to sell them in Nigeria.
Ogbonna said the seized items violate international law and the NCS Act in 2023, which prohibits trade of endangered species without the governor’s proper permission.
“On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, during a routine luggage check at the MFUN/EKOK Joint Border Station, my officer intercepted a traveler who entered Nigeria from Cameroon,” said Ogbonna.
“The person was found to have 213 parrot heads, 29 packs of parrot feathers, 128 African trumpets and 5 eagle heads. In addition, we recovered a pack of eagle feathers, two chimpanzees’ heads, four chimpanzees’ hands, four chimpanzees’ hands and four chimpanzees’ legs.”
The customs chief stressed that epilepsy seizures violated international agreements, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Groups and Flora and Fauna (Nigeria is the signatory).
He added: “Section 55, Section 55 of the NCS Act prohibits the import, export or transit of endangered species without proper permission.”
Ogbonna warns that illegal wildlife trade threatens Nigeria’s biodiversity and contributes to crime, economic instability and public safety risks. He also expressed his gratitude to the leadership and institutional support of Customs Comptroller Bashir Adeniyi.
