Latest news with #MichaelAwe
Deccan Herald
6 days ago
- Deccan Herald
Nigeria seizes 1,600 birds at Lagos airport bound for Kuwait
Customs officials at Nigeria's Lagos international airport said they had seized more than 1,600 parrots and canaries that were being transported to Kuwait without a permit, in one of the biggest such seizures in years. The cargo of live birds, which included ring-necked parakeets and yellow-fronted canaries, was intercepted by customs officials at the airport on July 31, the agency said in a statement late on Monday. Nigeria, which has become a transit hub for trafficking in wildlife and wildlife products, is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Parrots, songbirds and birds of prey are among the most trafficked birds for the exotic pet trade, private collections and for feathers or trophies, according to the United Nations 2024 World Wildlife Report. Michael Awe, a customs controller at Lagos airport, said the birds were not accompanied by a CITES permit and other documents required to prove they were legally obtained. "No illegal shipment will slip through the cracks under my watch at the airport, because the eagle eyes of my command officers are everywhere to detect and intercept," he said in the statement. Awe said customs were investigating those responsible for the illicit cargo, adding that the birds would be handed over to the National Parks Service.
Arab Times
05-08-2025
- Arab Times
Nigeria intercepts massive illegal bird shipment bound for Kuwait
LAGOS, Nigeria, Aug 5: In one of the largest wildlife seizures in recent years, customs officials at Nigeria's Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos have intercepted a shipment of over 1,600 live birds, including parrots and canaries, being illegally transported to Kuwait. The seizure took place on July 31, according to a statement released late Monday by the Nigeria Customs Service. Among the birds confiscated were ring-necked parakeets and yellow-fronted canaries, both highly sought-after species in the exotic pet trade. Authorities confirmed the shipment lacked the necessary CITES permit—a key requirement under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, to which Nigeria is a signatory. CITES documentation is used to ensure that the international trade of wildlife does not threaten their survival. Michael Awe, the customs controller at Lagos airport, stated that the birds were transported without any of the required legal documents to prove they had been obtained or exported lawfully. 'No illegal shipment will slip through the cracks under my watch at the airport,' Awe said. 'The eagle eyes of my command officers are everywhere to detect and intercept.' He added that an investigation is underway to identify and prosecute those responsible for the attempted smuggling. The birds will be handed over to the National Parks Service, which oversees wildlife protection and conservation in Nigeria. Nigeria has increasingly become a transit point in global wildlife trafficking, particularly for birds, reptiles, and ivory. The United Nations 2024 World Wildlife Report identifies parrots, songbirds, and birds of prey as among the most trafficked species globally, often smuggled for private collections, exotic pet markets, or use in traditional trophies and ornaments. This recent seizure underscores ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to combat illegal wildlife trade and enforce international conservation regulations.
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Yahoo
1,600 exotic birds seized at airport in huge customs crackdown
Nigerian customs officials have announced one of the largest seizures of its kind in years, intercepting more than 1,600 parrots and canaries at Lagos international airport that were being illegally transported to Kuwait. The live cargo, including ring-necked parakeets and yellow-fronted canaries, was intercepted by customs officials at the airport on 31 July, the agency announced late on Monday. Michael Awe, a customs controller at Lagos airport, confirmed the birds lacked the mandatory CITES permit and other essential documentation required to prove their legal acquisition. Nigeria, a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), has become a significant transit hub for wildlife trafficking. Parrots, songbirds, and birds of prey are among the most trafficked birds globally for the exotic pet trade, private collections, or for their feathers and trophies, according to the United Nations 2024 World Wildlife Report. "No illegal shipment will slip through the cracks under my watch at the airport, because the eagle eyes of my command officers are everywhere to detect and intercept," he said in the statement. Awe said customs were investigating those responsible for the illicit cargo, adding that the birds would be handed over to the National Parks Service. It is the latest group of animals to be intercepted by authorities after the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently announced 1,540 endangered birds were stopped from being illegally exported. Speaking during the official handover of the birds to the National Park Service in Abuja, the Customs Area Controller of the FCT Command, Comptroller Chinwe Aliboh, revealed that the intercepted birds included 200 parakeets, 40 Hasbiya (pigeons), 390 yellow canaries, 130 Janwuya (red neck), 260 black birds, 130 white canaries (Farar Daka), and 390 Beni (Hausa). In July, the MMIA Command also seized 75 bags of pangolin scales and two live pangolins.
The Independent
05-08-2025
- The Independent
1,600 exotic birds seized at airport in huge customs crackdown
Nigerian customs officials have announced one of the largest seizures of its kind in years, intercepting more than 1,600 parrots and canaries at Lagos international airport that were being illegally transported to Kuwait. The live cargo, including ring-necked parakeets and yellow-fronted canaries, was intercepted by customs officials at the airport on 31 July, the agency announced late on Monday. Michael Awe, a customs controller at Lagos airport, confirmed the birds lacked the mandatory CITES permit and other essential documentation required to prove their legal acquisition. Nigeria, a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), has become a significant transit hub for wildlife trafficking. Parrots, songbirds, and birds of prey are among the most trafficked birds globally for the exotic pet trade, private collections, or for their feathers and trophies, according to the United Nations 2024 World Wildlife Report. "No illegal shipment will slip through the cracks under my watch at the airport, because the eagle eyes of my command officers are everywhere to detect and intercept," he said in the statement. Awe said customs were investigating those responsible for the illicit cargo, adding that the birds would be handed over to the National Parks Service. It is the latest group of animals to be intercepted by authorities after the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently announced 1,540 endangered birds were stopped from being illegally exported. Speaking during the official handover of the birds to the National Park Service in Abuja, the Customs Area Controller of the FCT Command, Comptroller Chinwe Aliboh, revealed that the intercepted birds included 200 parakeets, 40 Hasbiya (pigeons), 390 yellow canaries, 130 Janwuya (red neck), 260 black birds, 130 white canaries (Farar Daka), and 390 Beni (Hausa). In July, the MMIA Command also seized 75 bags of pangolin scales and two live pangolins.
Indian Express
05-08-2025
- Indian Express
Nigeria seizes 1,600 birds at Lagos airport bound for Kuwait
Customs officials at Nigeria's Lagos international airport said they had seized more than 1,600 parrots and canaries that were being transported to Kuwait without a permit, in one of the biggest such seizures in years. The cargo of live birds, which included ring-necked parakeets and yellow-fronted canaries, was intercepted by customs officials at the airport on July 31, the agency said in a statement late on Monday. Nigeria, which has become a transit hub for trafficking in wildlife and wildlife products, is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Parrots, songbirds and birds of prey are among the most trafficked birds for the exotic pet trade, private collections and for feathers or trophies, according to the United Nations 2024 World Wildlife Report. Michael Awe, a customs controller at Lagos airport, said the birds were not accompanied by a CITES permit and other documents required to prove they were legally obtained. 'No illegal shipment will slip through the cracks under my watch at the airport, because the eagle eyes of my command officers are everywhere to detect and intercept,' he said in the statement.] Awe said customs were investigating those responsible for the illicit cargo, adding that the birds would be handed over to the National Parks Service.
