By Faridat Salifu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a 40-foot container loaded with 13.6 tonnes of dried salted donkey skins in Owerri, Imo State, valued at N3.6 billion.
The container, which was scheduled for export, was discovered by officers of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C following a detailed examination at a warehouse.
Comptroller Abdullahi Balogun, the Area Controller in charge of FOU Zone C, disclosed the seizure in a statement released to journalists in Lagos on Tuesday.
He said the interception was part of a strategic enforcement operation under the directive of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi.
According to Balogun, the items are prohibited under Nigeria’s Export Prohibition List due to concerns over biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and the protection of endangered species.
Each donkey skin was weighed and packed in sacks, with 10 or 9 pieces per sack, totaling 3,022 pieces and approximately 13,599 kilograms in combined weight.
He explained that the global price of dried salted donkey skin is currently pegged at $750 per piece, translating to a unit value of $166.6 per kilogram.
Balogun said the operation was made possible by what he described as the vigilance and professionalism of FOU Zone C officers, whom he commended for their diligence.
He warned that individuals and smuggling syndicates involved in the illegal trade of endangered species and restricted goods must desist immediately or face legal consequences.
The customs chief reaffirmed the service’s commitment to enforcing Nigeria’s trade policies, preserving protected wildlife, and upholding international conventions on endangered species.
He said the Nigeria Customs Service would continue to scale up surveillance, intelligence gathering, and cross-border enforcement activities across all operational zones.
In a related development, the FOU Zone A recently recorded similar success, with the interception of 46 contraband consignments worth N1.5 billion during a two-week operation in early June.
Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, who resumed as Zone A controller on April 23, reported that the seizures were achieved within Mmm three weeks of assuming office.
He added that N48.34 million was also recovered through demand notices issued for improperly declared imports during the period.
Shuaibu said Customs would continue to strengthen revenue generation, prevent trade abuses, and promote legitimate commerce in line with national economic goals.