Lagos, Nigeria (FN) — Nigeria’s role in illegal wildlife trafficking has come under scrutiny again after customs officers intercepted a lion cub and two patas monkeys being smuggled toward the Benin Republic. The seizure at the Badagry–Seme border is only the latest in a series of wildlife crime cases highlighting Nigeria’s growing conservation challenges.
The Border Interception
Officials from the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, stopped a vehicle at Gbaji on Sunday. The animals, considered endangered under international law, were found inside a blue Mazda along with two suspects: a Beninese national and a Nigerian citizen.
Customs officials said the traffickers admitted buying the animals in Kano and transporting them to Benin. The animals were later handed over to a wildlife initiative specializing in the rescue and rehabilitation of trafficked species.
“We are committed to protecting endangered species and enforcing Nigeria’s obligations under international conventions,” said the Seme Command spokesperson.
Laws Violated
Authorities say the suspects violated several national and international laws, including:
- Nigeria’s Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, which prohibits the hunting, sale, or transport of endangered animals.
- National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act, which regulates environmental protection and prohibits illegal wildlife trade.
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory, banning cross-border trade of endangered species without proper permits.
- Criminal Code and Penal Provisions on smuggling and illegal possession of wildlife, which carry fines and possible imprisonment.
Nigeria’s Broader Wildlife Trafficking Problem
This is not an isolated case. Earlier this year, Turkish authorities intercepted a baby gorilla trafficked from Nigeria, highlighting the country’s role in cross-border wildlife networks. Nigeria has also seen large-scale seizures of protected birds, pangolin scales, and ivory, demonstrating that both live animals and wildlife products are at risk.
Bushmeat and Cultural Practices
Experts warn that the trafficking problem is compounded by local practices, particularly the consumption of wild animals as bushmeat. In many parts of Nigeria, primates, antelopes, and other endangered species are illegally hunted for food, often sold in markets or consumed privately.
- Wildlife advocates say this practice accelerates species depletion and creates public health risks, as bushmeat can carry zoonotic diseases like Ebola and Lassa fever.
- The illegal hunting of species such as monkeys, pangolins, and lions makes it easier for traffickers to capture and sell these animals domestically and internationally.
“Bushmeat consumption is both illegal for protected species and dangerous for communities,” said a Nigerian wildlife conservationist. “It fuels demand for endangered animals and undermines conservation efforts.”
Nigeria’s Conservation Response
In recent years, Nigerian authorities have intensified surveillance at airports, seaports, and land borders to curb trafficking. Conservation NGOs and government agencies are calling for stronger enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and harsher penalties for illegal wildlife trade.
“This incident reminds us that wildlife trafficking is a serious crime, not just a cultural or culinary issue,” the Customs spokesperson said.
Why It Matters
The Badagry seizure, combined with prior international cases like the baby gorilla in Turkey, shows Nigeria’s central role in both domestic and global wildlife trafficking. Experts warn that without addressing the bushmeat culture, traffickers will continue to exploit endangered species, threatening biodiversity and public health.
