By Femi Anamelechi
The Nigeria Customs Service Seme Area Command has warned against transnational trafficking of rare wildlife species following the recent interception of a live Pacific Ridley Sea Turtle.This was disclosed in a press release signed by the Command Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs, Tunde Ayagbalo, on behalf of the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller, Norman Alumanah, the interception occurred on Thursday, 12 November 2026, at about 2230 hours during a routine patrol by officers along a footpath linking Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.”Our officers sighted a suspicious individual carrying a sack who, upon noticing the patrol team, abandoned it and fled into a nearby bush, evading arrest despite efforts to apprehend him. Upon examining the abandoned sack, we discovered one live Pacific Ridley Sea Turtle, also known as the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), concealed inside” he said. The Acting Area Controller explained that the animal was immediately secured and kept in safe custody before being formally handed over to the relevant wildlife authorities for proper care, rehabilitation and eventual release into its natural habitat, in line with established conservation practices.He warned that wildlife trafficking threatens biodiversity, destroys ecosystems, fuels corruption and undermine national security and sustainable development.
The sea turtles, particularly the Olive Ridley species currently face threats from illegal exploitation and trafficking of their meat, eggs, and shells for traditional medicine and exotic pet trade. These activities pose serious threats to their survival. “Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), adopted in 1973 to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Nigeria domesticated the Convention through the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, Cap E9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which criminalises the unauthorised hunting, capture, possession, trade, importation or exportation of endangered species” he said. DC Alumanah concluded with a called on members of border communities to support the Service by providing credible intelligence, noting that the fight against wildlife trafficking requires collective responsibility and the cooperation of all well meaning Nigerians.
