Customs Transfers N3.94bn Worth Of Seized Donkey Parts To NESREA In Kaduna …Sends Strong Warning To Wildlife Traffickers

In a major clampdown on the illegal trade in endangered species, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has handed over donkey parts valued at more than N3.94 billion to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

The handover, which took place on September 30, 2025, at the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’ Headquarters in Kaduna, marks one of the biggest anti-wildlife trafficking actions in recent years.

According to a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs Saidu Nuruddeen, the confiscated items include 700 bags of donkey bones valued at N1.86 billion and 2,500 pieces of donkey skin worth N2.07 billion. The donkey skins were seized on September 18, while the bones had been intercepted earlier.

Comptroller Aminu Sule, who heads FOU Zone ‘B’, described the operation as a decisive step toward protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity and supporting global conservation efforts.

“Donkeys are a lifeline for many rural communities, used for transport and farming. Their indiscriminate slaughter not only endangers the species but also threatens rural livelihoods,” Sule said.

He praised his officers for their commitment and credited the success of the operation to effective intelligence sharing with other security agencies. Sule added that the seizures were in line with the Customs Service’s renewed agenda of Collaboration, Consolidation, and Innovation championed by Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi.

Sounding a stern warning, Sule vowed that wildlife traffickers would find no refuge under his command.

“This seizure sends a clear message—FOU Zone ‘B’ will not relent. We are determined to enforce environmental laws, protect endangered species, and ensure Nigeria is not turned into a hub for illegal wildlife trade,” he declared.

Receiving the consignment, NESREA’s Kaduna State Coordinator, Hene Emmanuel, lauded the Customs Service for its proactive enforcement and pledged that the agency would immediately commence investigations and ensure the environmentally safe disposal of the items.

“The illegal trade in donkey parts poses serious ecological and socio-economic dangers. NESREA will continue to collaborate with Customs and other stakeholders to dismantle these trafficking networks,” Emmanuel said.

The event, attended by representatives of security and regulatory agencies, ended with the formal transfer of the seized donkey bones and skins to NESREA for further legal and environmental action.