The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has handed over 25 exotic birds to the Kano Zoological and Wildlife Management Agency.

During the handing over at the zoo in Kano on Friday, Northwest Zonal Director of NESREA, Mudassir Raheem, said the birds were smuggled into the country through Niger Republic and seized by Nigeria customs Service and handed over to the enforcement agency.

Mr Raheem thanked Kano-Jigawa command of the Nigerian Customs Service  on behalf of the Director General of NESREA, Aliyu Jauro, for confiscating the birds.

The director, who expressed happiness for the synergy between the two government agencies, called for more collaboration, to improve the country’s security network.

He then urged Nigerian customs to hand over the offender for subsequent prosecution.

According to him, the Kano Zoological Garden would serve as custodian of the birds.

The Managing Director, Kano Zoological Garden, Lawal Kofarmata, commended the effort of Nigeria Customs Service and NESREA for an “excellent” job.

He also commended the agencies for their commitment in discharging their responsibilities.

The Director, Wildlife of the garden, Muhammad Danjuma, promised to take care of the birds and called on people in the state to complement the government’s efforts by reporting unpatriotic Nigerians engaged in smuggling wild animals to neighbouring countries.

(NAN)