Seme Customs Intercepts Live Olive Ridley Sea Turtle in Anti-Wildlife Trafficking Operation
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has intercepted a live Olive Ridley Sea Turtle along the Nigeria-Benin border, reinforcing its efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species.
The interception was made at about 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during a routine patrol along a footpath linking Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent John Tunde Ayagbalo, officers sighted a suspicious individual carrying a sack. The suspect reportedly abandoned the sack and fled into a nearby bush upon noticing the patrol team, escaping arrest despite efforts by the officers.
A search of the abandoned sack revealed a live Pacific Ridley Sea Turtle, also known as the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).
The animal was immediately secured and placed in safe custody before being handed over to the relevant wildlife authorities for proper care, rehabilitation and eventual release into its natural habitat.
The Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Norman Olisah Alumanah, described the interception as evidence of the vigilance, discipline and professionalism of officers, stressing that the Service would not allow Nigeria’s borders to become transit routes for wildlife trafficking.
He noted that illegal exploitation of sea turtles for their meat, eggs, shells, traditional medicine and the exotic pet trade poses a serious threat to biodiversity and the survival of the species.
Alumanah reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to enforcing national and international conservation laws, particularly the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory.
He also highlighted the provisions of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act and the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which provide the legal framework for combating the unauthorised trade and movement of protected wildlife.
The Customs chief expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Management of the Service for providing enhanced logistics and operational assets to strengthen the Command’s enforcement capacity.
He urged residents of border communities to support the Service with credible intelligence, emphasising that combating wildlife trafficking requires collective responsibility and public cooperation.
The Acting Controller further warned smugglers, poachers and their collaborators to desist from the illegal trade, disclosing that the Command had intensified patrols, surveillance and intelligence gathering across its area of responsibility.
He added that the Command would complement enforcement activities with stakeholder education and public sensitisation on endangered species, their ecological importance and the legal consequences of their unauthorised trade.
The Seme Area Command reiterated its commitment to revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, trade facilitation and border security, while strengthening its contribution to environmental protection and the preservation of Nigeria’s biodiversity for future generations.
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