LAGOS: A foreign national has reportedly intervened to save sea turtles from alleged illegal traders near Eko Hotel in Lagos after paying the men to secure the animals’ release and return them to their natural habitat.

The incident, which has attracted attention on social media, was shared by a user identified as Folarin, who said he witnessed the rescue and was moved by the foreigner’s determination to prevent the turtles from being sold.

According to Folarin’s account, the incident happened while he was leaving Eko Hotel, where he encountered some men allegedly attempting to sell a sea turtle by the roadside.

He said the foreigner stopped after noticing what was happening and immediately challenged the people involved, appealing to them to stop the trade and allow the animal to live.

Folarin explained that the foreigner reportedly pleaded with the men and tried to convince people around the scene, including police officers present, that the sea turtles deserved protection.

However, when his appeals did not produce the desired result, the man reportedly decided to pay the traders for the animals.

Folarin said the payment was not made to acquire the turtles but to prevent them from being sold and give them another chance to survive in their natural environment.

With the assistance of a police van, the rescued turtles were reportedly transported to the sea and released.

Recounting the experience in a social media post, Folarin described the incident as both heartbreaking and inspiring, saying the foreigner’s intervention restored some of his faith in humanity.

He questioned what might have happened to the animals if nobody had intervened, stressing that the ocean was their natural home and that they deserved to live freely.

The eyewitness also expressed concern that the animals appeared to have had few people speaking up for their protection at the scene.

The incident has drawn attention to the need to protect marine wildlife and discourage the capture, sale and exploitation of sea turtles.

Although details surrounding the identities of the traders and the specific species of turtles involved were not provided in the account, the reported rescue has highlighted the role individuals can play in speaking up for vulnerable wildlife.