The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has thwarted an attempt to smuggle an endangered sea turtle into the Republic of Benin through an unauthorised border route.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs John Tunde Ayagbalo, announced the interception in a statement.
According to the statement, Customs officers recovered the Olive Ridley sea turtle, scientifically known as Lepidochelys olivacea, during a routine patrol at about 10:30 pm on Thursday.
The officers reportedly spotted a suspicious individual carrying a sack along a footpath connecting Nigeria to the Republic of Benin.
However, the suspect reportedly abandoned the sack and escaped into a nearby bush after noticing the patrol team.
“A search of the abandoned sack revealed a live sea turtle concealed inside,” the statement revealed.
“The animal was secured before being handed over to relevant wildlife authorities.”
He said the authorities would provide proper care and rehabilitation for the turtle before eventually releasing it into its natural habitat.
The acting Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Norman Olisah Alumanah, described the interception as a result of the vigilance and professionalism of the officers.
Alumanah warned smugglers, poachers and their associates against using Nigeria’s borders for illegal wildlife trade.
He said the command had strengthened patrols, surveillance and intelligence gathering to prevent the movement of endangered species across its area of responsibility.
The Customs chief also urged residents of border communities to provide credible information that could help officers identify and stop wildlife trafficking.