In what is being described as one of the largest wildlife trafficking operations intercepted in Nigeria, authorities at Lagos International Airport have seized more than 1,600 exotic birds bound for illegal export. The massive bust occurred on July 31, 2025, and involved the confiscation of hundreds of ring-necked parakeets and green and yellow-fronted canaries. The shipment, intended for Kuwait, lacked the mandatory documentation required under international wildlife trade regulations, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) permits.

The Nigerian Customs Service reported that the birds were discovered in crates during a routine cargo inspection. Officials confirmed that the animals were being smuggled out of the country without valid export licenses or veterinary clearances. The traffickers behind the operation are yet to be identified, but investigations are currently underway.

Environmental experts have welcomed the seizure as a vital step in the battle against the illegal wildlife trade, a multi-billion-dollar global industry. Mark Ofua, a representative of the conservation NGO Wild Africa, emphasized that while the seizure is commendable, Nigeria still faces serious challenges, including porous borders, institutional corruption, and insufficient enforcement capabilities. He stressed the importance of sustained efforts to dismantle trafficking networks operating across West Africa.

The birds have been handed over to the National Parks Service, which will oversee their rehabilitation and eventual return to the wild. Wildlife authorities noted that the health of the birds would be assessed, and efforts would be made to ensure their safe reintegration into their natural habitats.

Nigeria has increasingly become a transit point for the trafficking of both native and non-native species to foreign markets, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. Conservationists are calling for greater cross-border cooperation and enhanced legal frameworks to curb the trade, which poses a serious threat to biodiversity and ecosystems.

This latest seizure sends a strong message that Nigerian authorities are stepping up enforcement efforts to protect the country's wildlife and uphold international conservation commitments.