The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a 40-foot container loaded with donkey genitals along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.
The interception, described as a major breakthrough in curbing illegal wildlife trafficking, was carried out on Friday, June 5, 2025, around 9 pm by officers of the Special Wildlife Office (SWO) and the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) following credible intelligence.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the seizure revealed how transnational criminal networks continue to traffic endangered species for illicit profits.
“This is not an isolated seizure,” Maiwada said while handing over the items to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) at the NCS Government Warehouse in Karu.
He explained:
“Our operatives intercepted a 40-foot container filled with donkey genitals along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway after coordinated surveillance. This confirms the persistent activities of wildlife traffickers exploiting Nigeria’s transport corridors.”
Maiwada added that the seized items were officially handed over to NESREA on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in line with inter-agency collaboration mandates.
He noted that the Special Wildlife Office has recorded multiple seizures across the country in the past year, including:
Rescue of six African Grey Parrots and arrest of a suspect in Kano in December 2024
Interception of two live pangolins, five Mona monkeys, two Tantalus monkeys, a baby baboon, and an African Grey Parrot at Lagos Airport in May 2025
Arrest of a suspect in Cross River linked to 213 parrot heads, six eagle heads, and 128 hornbill heads
Seizure of taxidermy items like lion mounts, zebra hides, gorilla parts, and 119.4kg of pangolin scales in Calabar
Rescue of 120 African Grey Parrots and arrest of a suspect in Adamawa State
Maiwada said these seizures show the scale and profitability of illegal wildlife trade, warning that wildlife crimes are often connected to money laundering, arms smuggling, and illegal financial flows.
He stated:
“The Customs Service sees this as a national security issue, not just an environmental one. Under CG Adeniyi’s leadership, we have boosted digital surveillance, species identification, and cross-border enforcement.
“Our investments in digital forensics and suspect phone analysis have strengthened prosecution efforts, and several cases are in court.”
He urged Nigerians, especially those in border communities, to report any suspicious movement of wildlife products to authorities
“We commend our officers and partners for their efforts. The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to enforcing the NCS Act 2023 and environmental protection laws,” he concluded.
