A sea turtle caught in a fishing net at Okun Igando in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, has been rescued and returned to the Atlantic Ocean after the Baale of the community intervened to prevent fishermen from killing the animal for food. The incident occurred on October 6 and has since attracted attention online after video of the rescue circulated on social media.
Key Highlights
- A sea turtle was rescued in Okun Igando, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
- The turtle was reportedly found entangled in a fishing net.
- Fishermen initially mistook the animal for an unusually large fish.
- The Baale of Okun Igando, Chief Semiu Waliu Jejelaiye, intervened and stopped the fishermen from killing it.
- Community members freed the turtle and returned it alive to the Atlantic Ocean.
- Video of the rescue circulated widely on X on October 6.
- Conservation groups have previously documented sea turtle captures in Ibeju-Lekki.
- Marine conservationists have raised concerns about fishing nets, plastic pollution and coastal development.
- The incident has renewed discussion about protecting endangered and threatened marine species in Lagos.
Ibeju-Lekki Sea Turtle Rescued After Community Intervention
The sea turtle was reportedly discovered during routine fishing activity in Okun Igando after becoming trapped in a fishing net.
According to reports, the fishermen initially believed they had caught an unusually large fish.
The situation changed after Chief Semiu Waliu Jejelaiye, the Baale of Okun Igando, intervened and instructed the fishermen not to kill or eat the animal.
The traditional ruler reportedly explained the importance of protecting marine species and preventing further harm to sea turtles.
Community members subsequently worked to free the turtle from the fishing net before returning it alive to the ocean.
Sea Turtle Rescue Video Goes Viral on X
Video footage of the incident circulated widely on X on October 6, generating thousands of views and comments.
Gossip Mill Nigeria shared footage of the rescue under the caption “Please Don’t Kill It!”, highlighting the intervention that prevented the turtle from being killed for food.
The video showed community members handling the animal before taking it back towards the sea.
The rescue attracted a range of reactions online, with many users praising the decision to spare the turtle.
Other commenters questioned whether the fishermen had been compensated or suggested that economic hardship could make it difficult for some fishing communities to release animals that could otherwise be used as food.
Ibeju-Lekki Has History of Sea Turtle Rescues
The incident is part of a wider conservation challenge along the Lagos coastline.
Conservation organisations, including Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative, have previously documented cases involving sea turtles caught in fishing nets or targeted for their meat and eggs in coastal communities around Ibeju-Lekki.
Previous rescue efforts have involved species such as olive ridley, hawksbill and leatherback turtles.
In some cases, conservation groups have worked with fishermen by providing incentives such as net-repair materials in exchange for releasing trapped turtles.
Such programmes are aimed at reducing conflict between marine conservation and the economic needs of fishing communities.
Fishing Nets and Plastic Pollution Threaten Sea Turtles
Sea turtles face several threats along Nigeria’s coastline, including accidental capture in fishing equipment, discarded nets, plastic pollution and coastal development.
Fishing nets can trap turtles and prevent them from reaching the surface to breathe, potentially leading to drowning if they remain entangled for too long.
Plastic waste can also enter marine ecosystems and create additional risks for turtles and other aquatic species.
Some sea turtle species found in Nigerian waters are classified internationally as threatened or endangered, making local protection and rescue efforts important to their survival.
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Baale’s Intervention Prevents Turtle From Being Killed
The Ibeju-Lekki rescue also highlights the role traditional leaders can play in local conservation efforts.
In this case, the intervention came directly from the community’s traditional authority rather than an external wildlife organisation.
The Baale’s instruction gave the fishermen a clear direction to release the animal, after which community members returned the turtle to the ocean.
Conservation advocates have argued that cooperation with local fishing communities is essential because fishermen are often the first people to encounter sea turtles caught in nets.
Viral Rescue Renews Conservation Debate
The viral video has renewed discussion about how often marine animals caught during fishing activities are released rather than killed.
While the successful rescue has been welcomed by many observers, conservation groups continue to face the larger challenge of reducing accidental turtle captures and protecting nesting and feeding habitats.
The Ibeju-Lekki incident demonstrates how a single intervention can prevent the death of a threatened marine animal, while also highlighting the need for longer-term cooperation between traditional leaders, fishermen, conservation organisations and government agencies.
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