The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone D, Bauchi, has intercepted 718 pieces of donkey skins worth over N24 million allegedly being smuggled out of the country.
The Zonal Comptroller, Abdullahi Kaila, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media briefing on the unit’s anti-smuggling activities at the command’s headquarters in Bauchi.
Kaila stated, “The cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items stands at Twenty-Four Million, Three Hundred and Thirteen Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventeen Naira (N24,313,217.00)”.
He noted that the arrest aligned with the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale, to enforce a zero-tolerance stance against the illegal trade of endangered species.
“This operation is part of our broader mandate to combat the illegal wildlife trade and enforce the Federal Government’s ban on the exportation of donkey skins,” he stated.
He explained that the trade and exportation of donkey skins remain prohibited under Nigerian law and international conventions, including the CITES agreement, which restricts the commercial trade of endangered wildlife.
According to him, two suspects, including the driver and owner of the goods, were arrested and would be prosecuted in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, as well as other environmental protection laws.
The Comptroller described the seizure as “a reaffirmation of the service’s commitment to safeguarding biodiversity and national economic interest,” warning that smuggling of wildlife products constitutes economic sabotage.
Kaila added that the success of the operation was made possible through enhanced collaboration with other security agencies, which has improved intelligence sharing and disrupted smuggling networks within the zone.
“We will not relent. Anyone involved in the illegal trade of wildlife products will be arrested, prosecuted, and held accountable under the full wrath of the law,” he warned.
He urged residents to support the service by providing credible information that could help disrupt smuggling activities in the region.
In July, the Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, intercepted and handed over 25 containers laden with unregistered and prohibited products to officers of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.