– 21 vehicles in major in crackdown
– Six suspects arrested
– Contraband worth Billions confiscated
Esther Oritse
Lagos — The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted a container loaded with 4,410 pieces of donkey skins worth N4.235 billion in a major operation carried out in January. Speaking to Newsmen at the unit’s Ikeja office, FOU Comptroller Kola Oladeji disclosed that the smuggled donkey skins were seized in line with Nigeria’s ban on trading in endangered species, as donkeys are classified as a vulnerable species.
The smuggling attempt also violates the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). “With the quantity of donkey skins intercepted, it is evident that over 4,000 donkeys were slaughtered illegally.
This is a grave violation of CITES, and we are committed to unmasking the individuals behind this illicit trade,” Oladeji stated.
Other Seizures: Vehicles, Rice, Drugs, and Fuel In addition to the N4.2 billion donkey skin seizure, the Customs Unit also confiscated 21 vehicles with a duty-paid value of N500 million.
Other intercepted contraband items include: 3,031 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice worth N387.9 million 2,725 parcels (1,378 kg) of Cannabis Sativa valued at N218 million 397 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS/petrol) worth N1.588 million 118 cartons of frozen poultry products with a street value of N2.832 million 105 bales of second-hand clothing worth N126 million Undisclosed quantities of narcotics and other contraband Arrests and Investigations Underway Oladeji confirmed that six suspects were arrested in connection with the intercepted goods, including smuggled drugs and banned items.
Some of them have been granted administrative bail while investigations continue. In a warning to smugglers, the FOU Comptroller emphasized that Customs would continue its “Swift Sting Operation” in 2025 to crack down on economic sabotage.
“I strongly advise smugglers to abandon illegal activities and engage in legitimate trade. For genuine importers and traders, our doors remain open for consultation and collaboration in line with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business policy,” he added. The Nigeria Customs Service reiterated its commitment to enforcing trade regulations and protecting the economy from negative effects.”
