The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a 40-foot container loaded with donkey genitals on the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway. The seizure was made on Friday, June 5, 2025, at about 9:00 p.m., following credible intelligence.
This was disclosed during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, who was represented by the National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Mr. Abdullahi Maiwada.
Maiwada said the interception was carried out by operatives of the Special Wildlife Office (SWO) and Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), adding that the seizure highlights the growing trend of illegal wildlife trafficking across Nigerian borders.
The seized items were handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), in line with the Service’s commitment to inter-agency cooperation.
“This interception confirms the ongoing abuse of Nigeria’s trade routes by illegal wildlife traffickers,” Maiwada said.
The Customs boss noted that this incident was not isolated, as the agency has made several wildlife-related seizures in recent months.
He listed some recent operations, including:
– The rescue of six African Grey Parrots and arrest of a suspect in Kano (December 2024).
– The interception of two live pangolins, five Mona monkeys, and a baby baboon at Lagos Airport (May 2025).
– The arrest of a suspect in Ikom, Cross River State, in connection with 213 parrot heads, eagle heads, hornbill heads, and other exotic species.
– The recovery of 119.4kg of pangolin scales hidden in sacks in Calabar.
– The rescue of 120 African Grey Parrots and arrest of a suspect in Adamawa State.
– The handover of rescued tortoises to the National Park Service in Oyo State.
Maiwada said that the Customs Service remains committed to tackling wildlife trafficking, which threatens biodiversity and violates global environmental laws.
Environmental experts have called for stricter surveillance at Nigeria’s ports and highways to stop the smuggling of endangered species and wildlife parts.