Follow Us on Google
From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) Zone B, Kaduna, has made seizures of dried donkey meat which is usually used in making the local delicacy called ‘banga’ soup’ in many parts of the country.
In his maiden media briefing in Kaduna, yesterday, the Comptroller in charge of the zone, Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, said three trucks of dried donkey meat and bones were intercepted at various spots by men of the command. He said apart from the fact that many Nigerians were consuming the meat without knowing it, the perpetrators were also contributing to climate change issues because donkeys play a critical role in biodiversity. The senior customs officer warned that if Nigerians fail to help security agents with local intelligence, donkeys may go into extinction in no distant time.
“Of great importance is the interception of the illegal products of donkeys perpetrated by some unscrupulous elements with no regard for the lives and preservation of endangered species like the donkey, which is near extinction. It is, therefore, with a personal sense of sadness to announce that our officers and men on two separate occasions, impounded consignments of donkey bones and donkey meat, respectively, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of about N3 billion.
On April 25, 2024, operatives of the Unit, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted one truck with registration number GGE 526 XL, along Sokoto-Gusau Road in Zamfara State, conveying illicit goods which were brought to Kaduna for further examination.
“Upon careful examination, the truck was discovered to be conveying 750 sacks of donkey bones. The DPV for the donkey bones was estimated at N2.3 billion. It would interest you to know that one suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure. Again, on May 5, 2024, at about 03:10hrs, the operatives of the unit intercepted two canter trucks carrying dried donkey meat along Kontagora-Tegina Road in Niger State.
“After 10 percent physical examination, the trucks were found to contain 860 sacks of dried donkey meat. Three suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure”, he explained.
He further noted that illegal trading contravenes Section 55 (1) paragraphs ‘c’ and ‘i’ of the NCS Act 2003, which stated that “import and export shall, where applicable, be subject to prohibition and restrictions relating to the protection of the health and life of human, animals, or plant, among others.
Other seizures made between April 17 – May 17 this year include 58,740 sachets of tramadol and 48,000 ampules of anelgin injection, vehicles, rice, spaghetti, macaroni, vegetable oil, petrol, and used clothes. Others are used shoes, dangerous snuffs, sugar, herbicide chemicals, flour, foreign couscous, and over 100 cartons of general goods.
He put the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the donkey meat and bones alongside other seizures at N3.5 billion. He, however, attributed the success of the zone to the demonstration of the collective determination of NCS, to continue to carry out its duty with undivided attention, and without fear or favour under the leadership of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as the Comptroller General of Customs.
