The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a 40-foot container loaded with donkey genitals along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway, preventing what officials say was a planned illegal export operation in violation of both national environmental laws and international treaties.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, described the seizure as a major milestone in Nigeria’s escalating war against wildlife trafficking.
He said the interception was carried out at about 9:00 p.m. on June 5, 2025, following a coordinated surveillance operation by officers of the Special Wildlife Office (SWO) and the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), acting on credible intelligence.
Maiwada explained that the operation underscores the growing activities of transnational criminal syndicates who exploit endangered species for illicit financial gains.
The seized consignment was officially handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the NCS Government Warehouse in Karu, Abuja.
He stressed that the Customs Service has significantly intensified enforcement efforts through its Special Wildlife Office, which was established to combat the illegal trade in endangered species and to ensure Nigeria’s compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
While highlighting that the intercepted donkey genitals were part of a wider trend, Maiwada recalled several major seizures made by the NCS within the last year.
He said that in December 2024, customs officers recovered six African Grey Parrots in Kano and arrested a suspect in connection with the illegal possession.
In May 2025, operatives at Lagos Airport intercepted a variety of trafficked wildlife species, including live pangolins, five Mona monkeys, two Tantalus monkeys, a baby baboon, and another African Grey Parrot.
This operation, he noted, was part of routine wildlife enforcement checks at major entry and exit points across the country.
Maiwada also revealed a significant bust in the Ikom area of Cross River State, where officers uncovered 213 parrot heads, six eagle heads, and 128 hornbill heads, along with other exotic animal parts believed to have been prepared for export.
In Oyo State, the Service successfully rescued several tortoises and transferred them to the National Park Service for rehabilitation.
In addition, a number of taxidermy-related seizures were recorded nationwide, including life-sized lions, zebra hides, gorilla parts, and pangolin scales, some of which were smuggled in concealed containers.
He further disclosed that one of the largest seizures involved 119.4 kilograms of pangolin scales found hidden in sacks inside a container in the Calabar area of Cross River State.
In another major operation, 120 African Grey Parrots were rescued in the Fufore area of Adamawa State, with a suspect arrested at the scene.
“These seizures show the scale, sophistication, and profitability of illegal wildlife trafficking,” Maiwada stated, adding that the trade is frequently linked with other organized crimes such as money laundering, arms smuggling, and illicit currency movements.
According to him, the Customs Service, under CG Adeniyi’s leadership, is strengthening its enforcement capabilities through investments in digital surveillance tools, forensic wildlife analysis, cross-border collaboration, and advanced species identification technology. He confirmed that several suspects are already being prosecuted.
Maiwada called on the public, especially those living in border communities and logistics hubs, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements involving wildlife products.
“The fight against wildlife trafficking is a collective responsibility,” he said. “It requires sustained collaboration, technological innovation, and an unyielding commitment to protecting our biodiversity.
“We commend the dedication of our officers in the Special Wildlife Office, CIU, and Customs Police Unit, and we will continue to update Nigerians on future breakthroughs and prosecutions.”
