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Operatives from the Nigeria Customs Service have seized a 40-foot container filled with donkey genitals along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway, as reported on Thursday.
The interception, believed to be intended for illegal export, occurred on Friday, June 5, 2025, around 9 pm during a coordinated surveillance operation by the Special Wildlife Office and Customs Intelligence Unit.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, shared this information during a press briefing in Abuja, represented by the National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada.
He characterized the seizure as part of the service’s strengthened measures to combat illegal wildlife trafficking in Nigeria. Adeniyi noted that this interception underscores the increasing role of transnational criminal networks in the exploitation of endangered species for illegal financial gain.
“This seizure is not an isolated incident,” Maiwada stated at the NCS Government Warehouse in Karu, where the seized goods were formally transferred to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency for further proceedings.
He added, “On Friday, June 5, 2025, at around 2100 hours, Nigeria Customs Service operatives, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a 1x40ft container cargo of donkey genitals on the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway.
This operation was executed under the coordinated surveillance of the SWO and CIU, further affirming the ongoing existence of illegal wildlife trafficking networks exploiting Nigeria’s routes.
After proper documentation and following procedures, the confiscated items will be handed over today, Thursday, July 10, 2025, to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency at the NCS Government Warehouse in Karu, Abuja, showcasing our commitment to inter-agency cooperation and legal responsibilities.”
The customs spokesperson also mentioned that the service has intensified operations through its Special Wildlife Office, established to tackle the illegal trade of endangered species and uphold Nigeria’s commitments under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
“This seizure is part of broader trends. Over the last year, the Special Wildlife Office has detected and disrupted numerous illicit wildlife trafficking activities throughout the nation.
Among these, significant recoveries include six African Grey Parrots and the arrest of one suspect on December 10, 2024, in Kano, and the interception of two live pangolins, five Mona monkeys, two Tantalus monkeys, one baby baboon, and an African Grey Parrot at Lagos Airport in May 2025.
In another incident, one suspect was arrested in the Ikom area of Cross River State in connection with the seizure of 213 parrot heads, six eagle heads, 128 hornbill heads, and other exotic animals. On January 13, 2025, the Service transferred rescued tortoises to the National Park Service in Oyo State.
Numerous seizures of taxidermy items, such as life-sized lion models, zebra hides, gorilla parts, and pangolin scales, have been documented at various ports and transport routes across the country, including one instance involving 119.4kg of pangolin scales hidden in sacks in the Calabar area of Cross River State. Additionally, 120 African Grey Parrots were rescued, with one suspect arrested in the Fufore area of Adamawa State.
“These figures illustrate the extent, complexity, and profitability of the illegal wildlife trade,” Maiwada remarked, noting that many operations are tied to larger criminal groups involved in money laundering, arms smuggling, and illicit financial transactions.
Maiwada indicated that the NCS views this issue as significant from both an ecological perspective and due to the increasing association of wildlife trafficking with other organized crime forms, including money laundering, arms trafficking, and illegal financial flows.
“The Service, led by Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi and his management team, is focusing on capacity development, digital monitoring, species identification, and border enforcement strategies to address this issue.
The wildlife office's investments in digital forensics and suspect phone analyses have bolstered our evidence capabilities, with several prosecutions currently in progress.
In conclusion, I assure both Nigerians and the international community that the Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to enforcing the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, CITES, and other environmental laws.
We invite the public, particularly those in border areas and logistics centers, to report any suspicious wildlife product movements. Combating wildlife crime necessitates ongoing collaboration, vigilance, and a steadfast commitment to justice.
On behalf of the Comptroller-General and the management of the Nigeria Customs Service, I commend the dedicated personnel of the SWO and CIU, as well as the Customs Police Unit and all our strategic partners for their efforts. The Service will continue to keep the public informed regarding future developments and prosecutions as they evolve.”
