The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday officially handed over a truckload of dried donkey genitals concealed in a 40-foot container to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) at the NCS Government Warehouse in Karu, Abuja.
The seizure according NCS, was made last Friday along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway by operatives of the Special Wildlife Office (SWO) and the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), acting on credible intelligence.
Speaking at the ceremony, the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, said the seizure was part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal wildlife trade and protect endangered species in line with Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
He noted that the Special Wildlife Office has recorded several high-profile seizures in recent months, including the interception of pangolins, parrots, baboons, and other protected animals.
According to him the Service is working closely with local and international partners, including NESREA, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and security agencies like the NDLEA, EFCC, Police, and Interpol, to clamp down on wildlife trafficking networks.
He assured of the commitment of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to enhance enforcement through training, intelligence sharing, and inter-agency collaboration.
Maiwada appealed to the public to report any suspicious activity related to the trafficking or trade of endangered wildlife species to the authority.
While receiving the seized donkey parts on behalf of NESREA, a representative of The Director General of NESREA,
Prof. Innocent Barikor, who received consignment behalf of his agency, commended NCS for its commitment to the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking.
He noted that such seizures are critical to protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity and upholding its international obligations under CITES.
He reiterated NESREA’s readiness to continue working closely with Customs and other enforcement agencies to dismantle wildlife trafficking networks and ensure that offenders are brought to book.