The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) during the week impounded 400 snakes, 200 frogs, and 100 lizards imported illegally into the country through the Calabar waterways by an unnamed importer living in Lagos,
The NCS has, however, handed over the dangerous cargo to the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service Agency (NAQSA).
Mohammed Awalu, the Customs Public Relations Officer for the Cross River and Akwa Ibom States Customs Area Command, said the animals which were imported from Cameroon, were handed over to the agency for analysis and further investigations.
The animals were kept in three cartons loaded into a container and shipped into through a vessel marked MV Flesh.
Awalu said the two persons arrested in connection with the illegal importation said they were clearing agents, and the importer is in Lagos.
The motive behind the importation of those reptiles is not clear, but those arrested are currently being questioned by NAQSA.