Nigeria Customs wildlife trafficking crackdown continues as officers seize container of donkey genitals on Kaduna–Abuja road in major illegal wildlife trade bust

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a 40-foot container filled with donkey genitals along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway. The discovery, made on 5 June 2025, was revealed at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

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Officials believe the shipment was intended for illegal export. It was uncovered following coordinated surveillance by the Special Wildlife Office and the Customs Intelligence Unit.

“This seizure is not an isolated incident,” said Abdullahi Maiwada, speaking on behalf of Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi. He described it as further proof of transnational criminal involvement in Nigeria’s wildlife corridors.

The consignment was handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency at the NCS Government Warehouse in Karu, Abuja.

“In line with our commitment, the seized items were formally transferred on 10 July,” Maiwada added.

He noted that Nigeria Customs has intensified enforcement efforts through its Special Wildlife Office. The unit was created to stop the trafficking of endangered species and to uphold the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

In the past year, the Service has recorded major operations. These include the rescue of parrots, pangolins, monkeys, tortoises, and taxidermy specimens like zebra hides and lion parts.

One of the largest seizures involved 119.4kg of pangolin scales in Calabar, while another operation in Adamawa led to the rescue of 120 African Grey Parrots.

“These figures show the profitability and scale of the illegal wildlife trade,” Maiwada said. “This issue now links to money laundering, arms smuggling, and illicit currency flows.”

The Service is investing in species identification tools, digital surveillance, and forensics to strengthen its investigations.

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“Our fight is not just ecological but national,” he added. “We urge Nigerians, especially in border areas, to report any suspicious activity.”