Customs Foils Attempt to Smuggle Endangered Turtle into Benin Republic

In a bid to protect Nigeria’s biodiversity, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has foiled an attempt to smuggle an endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle into the Republic of Benin through an illegal border route, Daily Post Nigeria reports. According to the command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Customs John Tunde Ayagbalo, the turtle, a protected species, was discovered during routine checks at the border. The turtle, which is scientifically known as Lepidochelys olivacea, has been listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

This is not the first time the NCS has intercepted such attempts. In July 2026, they seized a shipment containing 15 endangered Green sea turtles at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos. The turtles were handed over to the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) for rehabilitation.

The smuggling of endangered species is a serious crime under Nigerian law, and offenders face penalties including imprisonment and fines. The Customs Service’s efforts in preventing this illegal trade are commendable, as they help safeguard Nigeria’s rich wildlife heritage.

Editorial notes: While this story is based on a single source, it is consistent with the Customs Service’s reported efforts to combat wildlife trafficking.