The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a container carrying over 10,000 donkey genitals along the Kaduna-Abuja Highway.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this through the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, during a press briefing held at the government warehouse in Karu, Abuja, on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
CGC Adeniyi stated that the seizure aligns with the Service’s anti-wildlife trafficking operations, executed through its Special Wildlife Office (SWO), which operates under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU).
He explained that the operation was mandated to gather intelligence, conduct profiling, launch investigations, and coordinate enforcement efforts targeting transnational criminal networks involved in trafficking endangered species.
Adeniyi noted that, with support from both local and international partners, the SWO has recorded significant progress, revealing that officers acted on credible intelligence to intercept the container on June 5, 2025, at approximately 9p.m.
The Customs boss said that the interception was executed under coordinated surveillance by officers of the SWO and CIU, acknowledging the continued efforts of illegal wildlife trafficking networks that exploit Nigeria’s transport corridors.
He added that, following proper documentation and compliance procedures, the seized wildlife items will be officially handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), in line with the Service’s commitment to inter-agency collaboration and environmental protection.
The CGC further disclosed that, over the last year, the SWO has uncovered and disrupted several illicit wildlife trafficking operations. “These include the seizure of six African Grey Parrots in Kano in December 2024, two live pangolins, five Mona monkeys, two Tantalus monkeys, one baby baboon, and an African Grey Parrot at Lagos Airport in May 2025.”
He continued: “In a separate operation, officers arrested a suspect in the Ikom area of Cross River State in connection with 213 parrot heads, six eagle heads, 128 hornbill heads, and other exotic species. On 13 January 2025, tortoises were rescued and handed over to the National Park Service in Oyo State. We have also recorded seizures of taxidermy specimens such as life-sized lions, zebra hides, gorilla parts, and pangolin scales.”
Adeniyi also revealed that a container containing 119.4 kilograms of pangolin scales was intercepted in Calabar, while in Fufore, Adamawa State, officers rescued 120 African Grey Parrots and arrested a suspect.
“These figures underscore the scale and sophistication of the illegal wildlife trade. It is not just an ecological issue, but one tied to organised crimes, including money laundering, arms smuggling, and illicit currency flows,” he said.
He mentioned that the Service is investing in digital surveillance, cross-border enforcement, and species identification technology to tackle the menace. “Our Wildlife Office’s investigations, including digital forensics and phone analysis of suspects, have strengthened our evidence base, with several prosecutions currently underway.”
On his part, the Head of the Customs Wildlife Office, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Anuhu Mani, emphasised the critical role of strategic partners, including Focused Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Society, Wild Power Trust, Green Fingers, and Padrilas, as well as enforcement agencies in neighbouring countries.
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