The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently intercepted a 40-foot container loaded with over 10,000 donkey genitals on the Kaduna–Abuja expressway, marking a significant bust in the ongoing battle against illegal wildlife trafficking in the country.
The interception occurred on the evening of June 5, 2025, around 9:00 p.m., following a tip-off and coordinated surveillance by operatives from the NCS’s Special Wildlife Office (SWO) and the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU). During a press briefing, the National Public Relations Officer for the NCS, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, confirmed that the seizure was part of a broader initiative to combat illegal wildlife trade, a growing problem that threatens both Nigeria’s biodiversity and national security.
“This interception is not an isolated event,” Maiwada emphasized. “Over the past year, the Customs Service has uncovered and disrupted several wildlife trafficking operations, including the rescue of African Grey Parrots, pangolins, monkeys, and the seizure of lion mounts and pangolin scales.”
Maiwada also noted other significant operations, such as the confiscation of eagle, parrot, and hornbill heads in Ikom, Cross River State, as well as the rescue of 120 African Grey Parrots at Lagos Airport and in Adamawa State.
The scale and profitability of wildlife trafficking have profound ecological implications, as it is increasingly intertwined with organized crime, including money laundering, arms smuggling, and illicit currency flows. Maiwada warned that the illegal wildlife trade, which often involves high-value animals and products, poses severe risks to Nigeria’s environment, human safety, and international relations.
He also underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration, with the recent handover of the confiscated donkey genitals to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). This collaboration is a step towards ensuring that the culprits face appropriate legal action and that the seized items are disposed of properly.
The Customs Service has reiterated its commitment to strengthening surveillance, enhancing intelligence gathering, and continuing to cooperate with other law enforcement agencies to curb wildlife trafficking. This action serves as a reminder of the need for continued vigilance in protecting the country’s wildlife and safeguarding national security.
