In a major crackdown on illegal wildlife trafficking, Nigerian Customs officials have arrested a suspect at the Mfum/Ekok border in Cross River State, seizing a horrifying collection of endangered animal parts.
The arrest, made on March 12, 2025, highlights the persistent threat of wildlife crime in the Nigeria.
The suspect, a Nigerian national from Oyo State, was intercepted while traveling from Cameroon to Nigeria. A search revealed a gruesome haul, including:
- 213 parrot heads and 29 packs of parrot feathers
- 6 eagle heads and 1 pack of eagle feathers
- 128 African hornbill heads
- 2 gorilla heads, 4 gorilla hands, and 4 gorilla legs
Experts from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) were called in to identify the species and confirmed that all the animals involved are protected under Nigerian and international law, with trade strictly prohibited.
This arrest underscores the urgent need for tougher penalties and increased enforcement to combat wildlife trafficking, which continues to devastate biodiversity in Nigeria and across Africa.
“Every seized item represents a tragic loss for nature,” said a WCS spokesperson. “This case is a stark reminder of the illegal wildlife trade’s brutality and the need for collective action to stop it.”
Since 2020, WCS has supported Nigeria’s fight against wildlife trafficking by:
- Training over 100 Customs officers in wildlife crime detection
- Establishing 8 secure storage facilities across Nigeria for seized wildlife items
The suspect remains in custody pending further investigation and prosecution.
The Nigeria Customs Service and WCS commended the Cross River Command for the arrest and called on the public to report suspicious wildlife trade activities.
“With stronger enforcement and community vigilance, we can protect our wildlife from extinction,” officials stated.
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