In a bold move to crackdown on the importation, exportation, and general trading in animals classified as endangered species, the Federal Operation Unit, FOU, Zone B, Kaduna, on Tuesday May 21, 2024, announced the seizure of over three billion Naira worth of donkey and other products.
The Comptroller, Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, who made the disclosure at a press briefing in Kaduna said the products which were intercepted along Sokoto/Gusau road in Zamfara were being exported by those he described as unscrupulous elements with no regard for the lives and preservation of endangered species like donkey which is nearing extinction.
He said: “On April 25, 2024, operatives of the Unit, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted one (1) truck with registration number GGE 526XL along Sokoto/Gusau Road in Zamfara State conveying illicit goods which were brought to Kaduna for further examination.
“Upon careful examination, the truck was discovered to be conveying 750 sacks of donkey bones. The DPV for the donkey bones was estimated at two billion ,three hundred and sixty three million, five hundred thousand Naira (N 2,363,500,000)
“It will interest you to know that one (1) suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure . Again, on May 5, 2024, the operatives of the Unit intercepted Two Canter Trucks carrying dried donkey meat along Kontagora-Tegina road in Niger state.
“After 100% physical examinations, the trucks were found to contain 860 sacks of dried donkey meat . Three suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure.
“The above illegal trading clearly contravenes Section 55 (1) paragraph c and i (1) of the NCS Act 2023, which says that ‘imports and exports shall, where applicable, be subject to prohibitions and restrictions relating to the protection of the health and life of humans, animals,or plants; controlled goods imported or exported in line with relevant international laws ,conventions on international Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),” Shauibu stated
The Comptroller noted that Government is deeply concerned that the unpatriotic and illegal activities of some people, particularly smugglers are driving donkeys considered as a rare animal into complete extinction.
Comptroller Shuaibu emphasised that Nigeria being a signatory to the international convention on the protection of rare animal species is under obligation to prevent the endangering of these. species.
“Therefore ,the Unit ,and in deed the Nigerian Customs Service, will not, and cannot fold their hands and allow this illegal trade to continue to take place.”
The Comptroller said the Unit between April 17 and May 17 2024 made seizures worth over three billion Naira, adding that the feat was made possible by the officers and men of the Unit.
“Let me, at this point, say that the officers and men of the Unit are focused, committed, and prepared to continue to carry out their assignments with utmost sense of courtesy and unwavering professionalism .
“Those who wish to try our resolve should have a rethink as we shall be unsparing in implementing the laws and policy directives of the Federal Government as directed by the Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his Management.
Anti- Smuggling initiatives are fast going beyond old traditional physical measures
“The NCS has sharpened its skills in intelligence- gathering through improved information technology kits”, Shuaibu noted .
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