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From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) of the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) Zone B, Kaduna, has intercepted three trucks of dried donkey meat and bones. The seizures were made at various locations by men of the command.
Comptroller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, in his maiden media briefing in Kaduna on Tuesday, expressed concern that many Nigerians are unknowingly consuming donkey meat. He also highlighted the perpetrators’ contribution to climate change issues, as donkeys play a crucial role in biodiversity.
The senior customs officer warned that if Nigerians fail to provide local intelligence to security agents, donkeys may face extinction in the near future.
“Of great importance is the interception of the illegal products of donkey perpetrated by some unscrupulous elements with no regard for the lives and preservation of endangered species like the donkey which is near extinction,” Shuaibu said.
“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 intercepted a truck with 750 sacks of donkey bones along the Sokoto/Gusau Road in Zamfara State. The DPV for the donkey bones was estimated at N2.3 billion. One suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure.
On May 5, 2024, two canter trucks carrying 860 sacks of dried donkey meat were intercepted along the Kontagora-Tegina Road in Niger State. Three suspects were arrested in connection with this seizure.
Shuaibu noted that this illegal trading contravenes Section 55 (1) paragraphs ‘c’ and ‘i’ of the NCS Act 2003, which states 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 and May 17 this year include:
58,740 sachets of tramadol
48,000 ampules of Anelgin injection
Vehicles
Rice
Spaghetti
Macaroni
Vegetable oil
Petrol
Used clothes
Used shoes
Dangerous snuffs
Sugar
Herbicide chemicals
Flour
Foreign couscous
Over 100 cartons of general goods
The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the donkey meat and bones alongside other seizures is N3.5 billion.
Shuaibu attributed the success of the zone to the collective determination of NCS to continue carrying out its duty with undivided attention, without fear or favour, under the leadership of Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
