By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘D’, Bauchi has intercepted 718 pieces of donkey skins with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over ₦24 million in Mubi, Adamawa State.
The FOU Zone ‘D’ covers Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Benue, Gombe, Taraba, Plateau, Nasarawa and Yobe States.
Comptroller of the Unit, Abdullahi Ka’ila, who disclosed this in Bauchi, stated that the seizure was made on 26 December following credible intelligence and coordinated enforcement operations by officers of the unit.
According to him, the donkey skins which are classified as prohibited items, were concealed in a vehicle intercepted during routine patrols.
In a post on its X handle on Thursday, the NCS stated thst the driver and owner of the consignment have been arrested and are currently in custody for further investigation.
Ka’ila explained that the trade and exportation of donkey skins are prohibited under Nigerian law, in line with regulations enforced by relevant agencies, including the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS).
Accordig to him, the interception also aligns with Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which seeks to prevent the exploitation and extinction of endangered animal species through international trade.
He further disclosed that investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, as well as other applicable environmental laws.
He said the seizure reflects the Service’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling, as directed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, noting that illegal wildlife trade poses a serious threat to biodiversity, rural livelihoods and national economic security.
“The Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘D’, remains resolute in enforcing trade and conservation laws. Nigeria will not be used as a corridor for wildlife crimes,” Ka’ila assured.
