Customs Hands Over N3.94bn Seized Donkey Parts to NESREA in Kaduna
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’ Kaduna, has handed over donkey bones and skins valued at more than ₦3.94 billion to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), in a renewed clampdown on illegal wildlife trade.
The items, comprising 700 bags of donkey bones worth ₦1.86 billion and 2,500 pieces of donkey skin valued at ₦2.07 billion, were intercepted in separate operations by the Unit. The donkey skins were seized on September 18, 2025, while the bones had been confiscated earlier.
Speaking during the handover at the Unit’s headquarters in Kaduna on Tuesday, Comptroller Aminu Sule described the seizure as a significant step towards safeguarding endangered species and preserving Nigeria’s ecological balance.
“Donkeys are a lifeline to rural communities, serving as a means of livelihood and local transportation. Their indiscriminate slaughter undermines sustainable development,” Sule said.
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He issued a stern warning to traffickers, stressing that the Service would not relent in enforcing environmental laws and preventing Nigeria from becoming a hub for illegal wildlife trade. He also commended his officers for their vigilance, while acknowledging the intelligence support of sister security agencies.
According to him, the operation aligns with the policy direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, which is anchored on Collaboration, Consolidation, and Innovation. Sule urged communities, transporters, and traders to report suspicious activities linked to wildlife trafficking.
Receiving the items, NESREA’s State Coordinator in Kaduna, Hene Emmanuel, applauded the Customs Service for its proactive enforcement. He said the agency would immediately commence investigations, ensure safe disposal of the seized items, and track those behind the illicit trade.
“Trafficking in donkey parts poses grave ecological and socio-economic risks. NESREA is committed to working closely with Customs and other stakeholders to combat environmental crimes,” Emmanuel said.
The handover ceremony was witnessed by representatives of security and regulatory agencies, and concluded with the formal transfer of the seized items to NESREA for further action under Nigeria’s environmental protection laws.
By PRNigeria
